# 2017 NWSL College Draft

The 2017 NWSL College Draft was the fifth annual meeting of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchises to select eligible college players. It was held on January 12, 2017 at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention in Los Angeles, California.

## Format

* Draft order was determined by the final 2016 regular season standings.

## Results

    As of November 23, 2023

### Key

| $^+$ | Denotes player who has been selected as NWSL Most Valuable Player |
| $^*$ | Denotes player who has been selected for an NWSL Best XI or NWSL Second XI team |
| $^^$ | Denotes player who has been selected as NWSL Rookie of the Year |
| $^#$ | Denotes player who has never appeared in an NWSL regular season or playoff game |

### Picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. | NWSL team | College |
| Round 1 | 1 | Rose Lavelle $^*$ | M | Boston Breakers | Wisconsin |
| Round 1 | 2 | Ashley Hatch $^{^*}$ | F | North Carolina Courage | BYU |
| Round 1 | 3 | Morgan Andrews | M | Boston Breakers | USC |
| Round 1 | 4 | Kayla Mills | D | Sky Blue FC | USC |
| Round 1 | 5 | Christina Gibbons | M | FC Kansas City | Duke |
| Round 1 | 6 | Maddie Bauer | D | Seattle Reign FC | Stanford |
| Round 1 | 7 | Darian Jenkins | F | North Carolina Courage | UCLA |
| Round 1 | 8 | Ifeoma Onumonu $^*$ | F | Boston Breakers | California |
| Round 1 | 9 | Midge Purce $^*$ | F | Boston Breakers | Harvard |
| Round 1 | 10 | Mandy Freeman | D | Sky Blue FC | USC |
| Round 2 | 11 | Michele Vasconcelos | F | Chicago Red Stars | BYU |
| Round 2 | 12 | Morgan Proffitt | M | Chicago Red Stars | Marquette |
| Round 2 | 13 | Toni Payne$^#$ | F | FC Kansas City | Duke |
| Round 2 | 14 | Rachel Hill | F | Portland Thorns FC | UConn |
| Round 2 | 15 | Jane Campbell * | G | Houston Dash | Stanford |
| Round 2 | 16 | Katie Johnson | F | Seattle Reign FC | USC |
| Round 2 | 17 | Stephanie Ribeiro$^#$ | F | FC Kansas City | UConn |
| Round 2 | 18 | Savannah Jordan | F | Portland Thorns FC | Florida |
| Round 2 | 19 | Lindsay Agnew | F | Washington Spirit | Ohio State |
| Round 2 | 20 | Claire Wagner$^#$ | D | North Carolina Courage | Clemson |
| Round 3 | 21 | Tyler Lussi | F | Portland Thorns FC | Princeton |
| Round 3 | 22 | Danica Evans | F | Orlando Pride | Colorado |
| Round 3 | 23 | Kailen Sheridan $^*$ | G | Sky Blue FC | Clemson |
| Round 3 | 24 | Madison Tiernan | F | Sky Blue FC | Rutgers |
| Round 3 | 25 | Alexis Shaffer$^#$ | M | FC Kansas City | Virginia |
| Round 3 | 26 | Arielle Ship | F | Seattle Reign FC | California |
| Round 3 | 27 | Jaycie Johnson | F | North Carolina Courage | Nebraska |
| Round 3 | 28 | Nichelle Prince | F | Houston Dash | Ohio State |
| Round 3 | 29 | Meggie Dougherty Howard | M | Washington Spirit | Florida |
| Round 3 | 30 | Catrina Atanda$^#$ | M | Sky Blue FC | Clemson |
| Round 4 | 31 | Sammy Jo Prudhomme | G | Boston Breakers | USC |
| Round 4 | 32 | Nickolette Driesse | M | Orlando Pride | Penn State |
| Round 4 | 33 | Erin Smith$^#$ | D | Houston Dash | Rutgers |
| Round 4 | 34 | McKenzie Meehan | F | Sky Blue FC | Boston College |
| Round 4 | 35 | Rashida Beal$^#$ | D | FC Kansas City | Minnesota |
| Round 4 | 36 | Cameron Castleberry | M | Washington Spirit | North Carolina |
| Round 4 | 37 | Kristen McNabb | D | Seattle Reign FC | Virginia |
| Round 4 | 38 | Hayley Dowd | F | Boston Breakers | Boston College |
| Round 4 | 39 | Lauren Kaskie | M | Chicago Red Stars | UCLA |
| Round 4 | 40 | Caroline Flynn | M | Portland Thorns FC | Nebraska |

### Notable undrafted players

Below is a list of undrafted rookies who appeared in a competitive NWSL game in 2017.
| Player | Pos. | Original NWSL team | College |
| Meghan Cox | D | Portland Thorns FC | Virginia |
| Ashley Herndon | M | Portland Thorns FC | James Madison |
| Kelli Hubly* | D | Portland Thorns FC | DePaul |
| Sydney Miramontez | D | FC Kansas City | Nebraska |
| Crystal Thomas | F | Washington Spirit | Georgetown |

## Trades

Round 1:
* ↑ Orlando Pride → North Carolina Courage. December 17, 2015: North Carolina Courage acquired Orlando's 2nd round pick (11th overall) in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and Orlando's 1st round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft in exchange for Becky Edwards and the rights to Kristen Edmonds.
* ↑ Houston Dash → Seattle Reign FC → Washington Spirit → Boston Breakers. October 21, 2015: Seattle Reign FC acquired Meghan Klingenberg and a conditional 2017 draft pick (later settled as Houston's 2017 1st round pick) from the Houston Dash in exchange for Amber Brooks and the 5th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. November 10, 2016: Seattle Reign FC acquired Christine Nairn and the rights to Madalyn Schiffel from the Washington Spirit in exchange for Havana Solaun and the 3rd and 36th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. November 17, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired Megan Oyster and the 3rd and 9th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Washington Spirit in exchange for Kristie Mewis and Kassey Kallman.
* ↑ Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers. January 5, 2017: Boston Breakers acquired the 8th and 38th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago in exchange for the 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Washington Spirit → Boston Breakers. November 17, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired Megan Oyster and the 3rd and 9th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Washington Spirit in exchange for Kristie Mewis and Kassey Kallman.
* ↑ Portland Thorns FC → Sky Blue FC. January 15, 2016: Portland Thorns FC acquired the rights to Nadia Nadim, the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a 2017 2nd round pick from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, a 1st round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, and a conditional pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
Round 2:
* ↑ Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars. June 29, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Boston Breakers in exchange for a 2016 international roster spot, which Boston used to sign Ghoutia Karchouni. July 22, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired a 2017 international roster slot, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Stephanie McCaffrey. January 12, 2017: Chicago Red Stars re-acquired the 11th overall pick from the Boston Breakers in exchange for Chicago's second-round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft and a 2018 international roster spot.
* ↑ Orlando Pride → FC Kansas City → WNY Flash → Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars. October 26, 2015: Orlando Pride acquired Sarah Hagen and the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft from FC Kansas City in exchange for Orlando's second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 13, 2016: Western New York Flash acquired Jessica McDonald, a 2016 and 2017 international roster spot, and a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from FC Kansas City in exchange for Sydney Leroux. June 14, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired the WNY Flash's highest second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft in exchange for McCall Zerboni. January 5, 2017: Boston Breakers acquired the 8th and 38th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago in exchange for the 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Houston Dash → WNY Flash → FC Kansas City. March 29, 2016: Houston Dash acquired Rebecca Moros from the Western New York Flash in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. June 10, 2016: Western New York Flash acquired Katelyn Rowland from FC Kansas City in exchange for two second-round picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Sky Blue FC → Portland Thorns FC. January 15, 2016: Portland Thorns FC acquired the rights to Nadia Nadim, the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a 2017 2nd round pick from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, a 1st round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, and a conditional pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ FC Kansas City → Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers → Houston Dash. January 17, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from FC Kansas City in exchange for a 2016 international roster slot. July 22, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired a 2017 international roster slot, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Stephanie McCaffrey. November 28, 2016: Houston Dash acquired a 2017 and 2018 international roster slot and the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Boston Breakers in exchange for Allysha Chapman.
* ↑ Seattle Reign FC → Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars → Seattle Reign FC. December 18, 2015: Seattle Reign FC acquired a 2016 international roster slot from the Boston Breakers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 5, 2017: Boston Breakers acquired the 8th and 38th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 12, 2017: Seattle Reign FC acquired the 16th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Seattle's first-round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ WNY Flash → FC Kansas City. June 10, 2016: Western New York Flash acquired Katelyn Rowland from FC Kansas City in exchange for two second-round picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers → WNY Flash → Portland Thorns FC. November 22, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired Alyssa Naeher and the 22nd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft from the Boston Breakers in exchange for Whitney Engen, the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 17, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired a 2016 international roster slot from the Western New York Flash in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 12, 2017: Portland Thorns FC acquired the 18th overall selection from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the 20th and 27th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Portland Thorns FC → North Carolina Courage. January 12, 2017: Portland Thorns FC acquired the 18th overall pick from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the 20th and 27th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
Round 3:
* ↑ Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars → Portland Thorns FC. January 5, 2017: Boston Breakers acquired the 8th and 38th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago in exchange for the 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. January 12, 2017: Portland Thorns FC acquire the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for their second-round and third-round picks in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Houston Dash → Sky Blue FC. November 25, 2015: Sky Blue FC acquired the 36th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Houston Dash in exchange for the rights to Chioma Ubogagu.
* ↑ WNY Flash → Portland Thorns FC → North Carolina Courage. March 30, 2016: Portland Thorns FC acquired Mallory Weber and a third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Western New York Flash in exchange for a 2016 international roster slot. January 12, 2017: Portland Thorns FC acquired the 18th overall selection from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the 20th and 27th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars → Houston Dash. July 22, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired a 2017 international roster slot, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Stephanie McCaffrey. November 3, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired a second-round and third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Boston Breakers in exchange for Amanda DaCosta. January 12, 2017: Houston Dash acquired the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Portland Thorns FC → Sky Blue FC. January 15, 2016: Portland Thorns FC acquired the rights to Nadia Nadim, the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a 2017 2nd round pick from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, a 1st round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, and a conditional pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
Round 4:
* ↑ Seattle Reign FC → Washington Spirit. November 10, 2016: Seattle Reign FC acquired Christine Nairn and the rights to Madalyn Schiffel from the Washington Spirit in exchange for Havana Solaun and the 3rd and 36th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ WNY Flash → Chicago Red Stars → Seattle Reign FC. November 10, 2015: Chicago Red Stars acquired Whitney Engen and a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Western New York Flash in exchange for Abby Erceg, Adriana Leon, and the 9th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. December 16, 2016: Seattle Reign FC acquired a 2017 international roster slot and the 37th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the rights to Summer Green.
* ↑ Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers → Chicago Red Stars → Boston Breakers. July 22, 2016: Boston Breakers acquired a 2017 international roster slot, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago Red Stars in exchange for Stephanie McCaffrey. November 3, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired a second-round and third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Boston Breakers in exchange for Amanda DaCosta. January 5, 2017: Boston Breakers acquired the 8th and 38th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from Chicago in exchange for the 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
* ↑ Washington Spirit → Chicago Red Stars. January 25, 2016: Chicago Red Stars acquired Amanda DaCosta and a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Washington Spirit for a player to be named later (later revealed to be Stephanie Labbé).

## Summary

In 2017, a total of 22 colleges had players selected. Of these, five had a player drafted to the NWSL for the first time: Clemson, Harvard, Minnesota, Ohio State and UConn.

### Schools with multiple draft selections

| Selections | Schools |
| 5 | USC |
| 3 | Clemson |
| 2 | Boston College, BYU, California, Duke, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio State, Rutgers, Stanford, UCLA, UConn, Virginia |

### Selections by college athletic conference

| Conference | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Total |
| ACC | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| Big East | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Big Ten | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Ivy League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Pac-12 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| SEC | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| West Coast | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |

### Selections by position

| Position | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Total |
| Goalkeeper | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Defender | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Midfielder | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Forward | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 18 |