Where 21 NWSL Players Went to College

Colleges from all over the country are represented in the NWSL, so here’s a look at where some of the current players spent their college days. As it turns out: you don’t have to go to one of the big soccer schools to make it to the pros.

1. Paige Monoghan (NJ/NY Gotham FC) – Butler – Before becoming a star in New Jersey, Monaghan spent four years at Butler. She played in 80 games for the Bulldogs, scoring 22 goals and providing 18 assists. She was a first-team All-Big East selection in 2017 and 2018. The forward became the first player out of Butler to get drafted into the league. She was the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft. 
2. Ifeoma Onumonu (NJ/NY Gotham FC) – Cal Berkley – Onumonu attended Cal from 2012- 2016, ending her career with 33 goals, fifth all-time at Cal. 
3. Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit) – Brigham Young University – Hatch was an offensive star for BYU between 2013-2016, writing her name in the record books. She scored 47 goals in 69 games at BYU, which is the fourth-best in school history. She also had nine multiple-goal games in her career. Hatch became the third player from BYU drafted when she was selected in 2017. 
4. Aubrey Bledsoe (Washington Spirit) – Wake Forest University – Bledsoe started 94 games at Wake Forest, the most games started in school history. She finished her career with 290 saves which are the second most in Wake Forest history. The former Demon Deacon also finished with the best goals-against average with a 0.91. 
5. Emily Menges (Portland Thorns) – Georgetown – Menges helped cement a stingy Georgetown defense during her career. In 2013, she was named the Big East Defender of the Year. In her junior year, the Hoyas had a school record of 13 shutouts. 
6. Raquel Rodriguez (Portland Thorns) – Penn State – Rodriguez attended Penn State, where she was an important piece to the Nittany Lions offense. In 2015 she led the team as captain to victory in the NCAA College Cup by scoring the winning goal against the Duke Blue Devils. She also won the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2015. 
7. Bethany Balcer (OL Reign) – Spring Arbor – Balcer became the first player from an NAIA school to play in the NWSL. Her numbers at Spring Arbor were ridiculous in college. She played in 98 games, starting all but one of them, scored 129 goals, and had 45 assists in her career. 
8. Tziarra King (OL Reign) – NC State – King was a leader at NC State, starting all 88 games that she appeared in. Her 48 goals for the Wolfpack are third all-time in the record book. She also had 19 assists in her career. 
9. Katie Naughton (Houston Dash) – Notre Dame – Naughton was a terrific defender at Notre Dame, perhaps one of the best to play there. She was an ironwoman, rarely missing any minutes throughout the four years. She also added an offensive threat, scoring 11 goals. 
10. Shea Groom (Houston Dash) – Texas A&M – Shea Groom had a great collegiate career at Texas A&M. She scored 41 goals and registered 25 assists for the Aggies. In 2014, she was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 16 goals her senior season. 
11. Cece Kizer (Racing Louisville FC) – Ole Miss – Kizer had a decorated career at Ole Miss and was one of the best forwards to play at the school. Her 48 goals and 119 points are still Ole Miss records. 
12. Savannah McCaskill (Racing Louisville FC) – South Carolina – McCaskill started all 92 games she appeared in for South Carolina. She registered 40 goals and is third in the record book. She has the most game-winning goals in school history with 17. In 2017, she was a MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist and SEC Offensive Player of the Year. 
13. Sarah Gorden (Chicago Red Stars) – DePaul – Gorden was a rock in the backline for DePaul and helped lead them to a 20 game unbeaten streak and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. She’s tied for fourth in terms of games started for DePaul. She was the first DePaul player to ever get drafted to the NWSL. 
14. Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars) – University of Virginia – Colaprico holds the record for most assists (44) and appearances (100) at UVA. In 2014, she was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and ACC Midfielder of the Year. She led the Cavaliers to the NCAA Championship game in 2014. They ultimately fell to Florida State, but it was the best season finish in program history. 
15. Toni Pressley (Orlando Pride) – Florida State – Pressley was part of the Florida State women’s soccer team between 2008-2011. She had 96 game appearances for the Seminoles. 
16. Marissa Viggiano (Orlando Pride) – Northwestern – She started every game of her Northwestern career, 83 straight, the third-longest streak in Northwestern history. Her 20 career assists are also good for the second-most in school history. 
17. Amy Rodriguez (Kansas City) – USC – Rodriguez was the leader of the 2007 National Championship winning USC squad. She found the back of the net a ton in her college career and has the fourth most goals scored all-time. 
18. Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas City) – Stanford – LaBonta played in 67 games, scored 22 goals, and had seven assists while anchoring the Stanford midfield. She won a National Championship in 2011 with the Cardinals. 
19. Hailie Mace (North Carolina Courage) – UCLA – Mace started all but five games she appeared in as a Bruin (74). Much like her time with the Courage now she found the back of the net with UCLA scoring 24 goals and adding 12 assists in her career. She also helped advance UCLA to the College Cup in 2017. 
20. Ryan Williams (North Carolina Courage) – Texas Christian University – Williams played defender while at TCU but was dangerous in the attack registering 15 assists in her career. She became the first TCU player to be drafted when she was selected in 2018. 
21. Midge Purce (Gotham FC) – Harvard – Purce was a prolific scorer for Harvard’s women’s soccer team, and she’s continued that impressive form throughout her professional career on both the USWNT and in the NWSL. Perhaps more impressive is the person Purce is becoming off the field, too. She’s a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers and also represented the USWNT at the White House alongside Megan Rapinoe on Equal Pay Day in 2021.

Featured Image via Getty Images

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