ECNL Alum Gearing Up for 2017 NWSL Playoffs

RICHMOND, VA (September 14, 2017) – The Elite Clubs National League has had an incredible impact on all levels of women’s soccer since it’s founding in 2009. Each season the sisterhood of ECNL Alums grows, with approximately 90% of these Amazing Young Women going on to play collegiate soccer. The ECNL’s College Impact series has cataloged the ECNL’s impact on women’s college soccer over the past several years.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is nearing the close of its sixth season, providing an opportunity for more female players to continue their playing careers. ECNL Alums dominated the 2017 NWSL Draft with 75% of the total draftees being ECNL Alums (30 of 40 players). As the NWSL enters the last month of regular season play, we will take a look at the accomplishments ECNL Alums have had in the NWSL this season.

There are three ECNL Alums currently ranked in the Top 25 Players of the NWSL: 15th Samantha Mewis (FC Boston), 21st Shea Groom (Sporting Blue Valley) and 25th Lindsey Horan (Colorado Rush). ECNL Alums also broke into the Top 10 League Leaders in a variety of categories: assists, shots on goal and saves.

Assists:

  • 3rd Shea Groom (Sporting Blue Valley) (6)
  • 7th Daphne Corboz (PDA) (5)

Shots on Goal:

  • 9th Lindsey Horan (Colorado Rush) (42)
  • 10th Janine Beckie (Real Colorado) (42)

Saves:

  • 3rd Abby Smith (Dallas Texans) (81)
  • 4th Haley Kopmeyer (Michigan Hawks) (80)

An ECNL Alum has won the NWSL Player, Goal or Save of the Week honors in 10 of the 19 weeks of the NWSL Season thus far. In addition, 10 ECNL Alums earned recognition for the overall Player of the Week.

Player of the Week:
Week 19 – Shea Groom (Sporting Blue Valley)
Week 16 – Sam Mewis (FC Boston)
Week 15 – Arielle Ship (Real So Cal)
Week 8 – Lindsey Horan (Colorado Rush)
Week 1 – Haley Kopmeyer (Michigan Hawks)

Goal of the Week:
Week 12 – Lindsey Horan (Colorado Rush)
Week 10 – Vanessa DiBernardo (Eclipse Select SC)
Week 8 – Lindsey Horan (Colorado Rush)
Week 2 – Danica Evans (Colorado Rush)

Save of the Week:
Week 19 – Jane Campbell (Concorde Fire)
Week 7 – Danielle Colaprico (PDA)
Week 6 – Abby Smith (Dallas Texans)

With less than a month left until the NWSL Post Season where the top four teams will compete for the NWSL Championship in Orlando, FL, three teams are competing for the final two spots.  The Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage have secured their spot in the NWSL Semifinals, earning the right to host at their respective home facility.  The Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, and Seattle Reign are competing for the final playoff spots.

We wish all of our ECNL Alums the best of luck in the final weeks of NWSL play, with several alums fighting for the right to be named the 2017 NWSL Champions.

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About Elite Clubs National League:  The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.

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