26 ECNL Alums Battle for a Spot in the NWSL Finals
RICHMOND, VA (September 13, 2018) – 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 concluding their seventh season, with nine teams across the country. The league provides an opportunity for female players to continue their playing careers at the professional level. ECNL Alums dominated the 2018 NWSL Draft with 65% of the total draftees being ECNL Alums (26 of 40 players). As the NWSL prepares for postseason play, we take a look back at the season and the ECNL Alums battling for the 2018 NWSL title.
This weekend the NWSL semi-finals will feature Seattle Reign at Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Red Stars at the North Carolina Courage. There will be 26 ECNL Alums battling for a spot in the championship on September 22nd in Portland, Oregon.
| Name | NWSL Team | ECNL Member Club |
| Emily Boyd | Chicago Red Stars | Crossfire Premier |
| Danielle Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | PDA |
| Vanessa DiBernardo | Chicago Red Stars | Eclipse Select SC |
| Brooke Elby | Chicago Red Stars | Arsenal FC |
| Arin Gilliland | Chicago Red Stars | Ohio Elite SA |
| Sarah Gorden | Chicago Red Stars | Eclipse Select SC |
| Summer Green | Chicago Red Stars | Michigan Hawks |
| Stephanie McCaffrey | Chicago Red Stars | FC Stars |
| Katie Naughton | Chicago Red Stars | Sockers FC |
| Jaelene Hinkle | North Carolina Courage | Real Colorado |
| Darian Jenkins | North Carolina Courage | Colorado Rush |
| Sam Mewis | North Carolina Courage | Scorpions Soccer |
| Cari Roccaro | North Carolina Courage | Albertson Fury |
| Katelyn Rowland | North Carolina Courage | San Juan SC |
| Meredith Speck | North Carolina Courage | Albertson Fury |
| Elizabeth Ball | Portland Thorns FC | Richmond Strikers |
| Celeste Boureille | Portland Thorns FC | Mustang SC |
| Lindsay Horan | Portland Thorns FC | Colorado Rush |
| Kelli Hubly | Portland Thorns FC | Sockers FC/Ohio Premier |
| Tyler Lussi | Portland Thorns FC | Bethesda SC |
| Ifeoma Onumonu | Portland Thorns FC | Arsenal FC |
| Margaret Purce | Portland Thorns FC | Maryland United |
| Mallory Weber | Portland Thorns FC | Michigan Hawks |
| Morgan Andrews | Seattle Reign | FC Stars |
| Alyssa Kleiner | Seattle Reign | Heat FC |
| Kristen McNabb | Seattle Reign | PDA |
Throughout this season several ECNL Alums made an impact on the pitch, earning recognition for their hard work. Lindsey Horan, a Colorado Rush ECNL Alum, ranks 3rd overall in the NWSL, tallying 13 goals (ranked 3rd) and 30 shots on goal (ranked 6th). In between the posts, Concorde Fire ECNL Alum Jane Campbell had 89 saves, ranking 3rd in the league.
In addition, ECNL Alums were well represented in the weekly honors throughout the season.
Player of the Week:
Week 17 – Jane Campbell (Concorde Fire)
Week 2 – Mal Pugh (Real Colorado)
Goal of the Week:
Week 3 – Lindsay Horan (Colorado Rush)
Week 2 – Lindsay Horan (Colorado Rush)
Save of the Week:
Week 8 – Katelyn Rowland (San Juan SC)
Week 2 – Jane Campbell (Concorde Fire)
Congratulations to the NWSL for another successful season, and good luck to the four teams competing for the championship. Tune in this weekend to watch the NWSL semi-finals, details on both games are below.
Saturday, 9/15 | Seattle Reign @ Portland Thorns FC | 3 PM ET | LIFETIME
Sunday, 9/16 | Chicago Red Stars @ NC Courage | 3 PM ET | ESPN2
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About Girls Elite Clubs National League: The Girls Elite Clubs National League (Girls 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.
eliteclubsnationalleague.com | Facebook: /theECNL | Twitter: @theECNL