The 2015 NWSL draft took place today during the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Philadelphia. It is the second draft in two days as Major League Soccer held their SuperDraft on Thursday.
Skyscraper Blues
Entering the NWSL draft, the Seattle Reign held only two picks. They owned the 15th (2nd rd) overall pick as well as the 36th (4th rd) overall pick. There are four rounds in the draft and with only nine teams, that means only 36 of the 165 players that made themselves available would be selected.
The Reign had to wait nearly two hours after the draft begun, but they finally had their opportunity to make their first selection of the 2015 NWSL Draft. When it was their turn, the elected to take their five minute timeout. They were probably trying to figure out which player they wanted to select.
After their five minute timeout, the Reign elected to draft midfielder/forward Havana Solaun. Solaun played her college soccer at the University of Florida. She was the Gators co-captain as well as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-South Region second team selection as well as All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection for a second consecutive year. She finished her career second among Gators in goals (9) and points (27), Tied for fifth in SEC in points, seventh in assists (9) and sixth in goals. Lastly, she finished among the top 10 on following Gator Career Charts – No. 10 goals (30), No. 6 assists (32), No. T8 game-winning goals (11) and No. T8 points (92).
With the 15th pick Reign FC has selected midfielder/forward Havana Solaun from Florida. pic.twitter.com/mI9yYlao8x
— OL Reign (@OLReign) January 16, 2015
Seattle was one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the entire league last year. Solaun will get to learn from the likes of Sydney Leroux, Jess Fishlock and Kim Little. Seattle is building a team that looks to be dangerous for years to come.
The Reign would not get to select another player for just over 90 minutes. Their final pick of the draft was also the final pick of the 2015 NWSL Draft. With their final pick, the Reign selected defender Kendall Romine from Stanford University. As a fifth year senior, Romine was a PAC-12 All-Academic honorable mention. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 second team. She earned PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Week (September 2015). She played in 23 matches, 22 starts, and helped lead the Cardinal to 14 shutouts.
Welcome to Seattle Reign FC! pic.twitter.com/F1whQrsFQa
— OL Reign (@OLReign) January 16, 2015
Seattle was one of the better defensive teams in the league last year. The selection of Romine only helps makes that defense much better. I can see the draft picks getting some playing time this year with the Women’s World Cup taking place during the season.
I sure hope the NWSL season hurries up and gets here. Who else is ready?
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