The National Women’s Soccer League welcomed 50 new athletes to the league as players around the world heard their names called Saturday in the 2022 NWSL Draft presented by Ally.

The National Women’s Soccer League welcomed 50 new athletes to the league as players around the world heard their names called Saturday in the 2022 NWSL Draft presented by Ally.Headlined by Stanford University defender Naomi Girma, who was selected by expansion side San Diego Wave FC with the No. 1 overall pick, the NWSL’s newest draft class features players from a record 40 different universities and five countries. With Girma’s selection, Stanford now boasts four No. 1 selections in NWSL Draft history. Girma joins Stanford grads Tierna Davidson (2019), Sophia Smith (2020) and Andi Sullivan (2018) as the first overall pick. Jaelin Howell of Florida State University was drafted No. 2 overall to Racing Louisville FC, while Virginia Tech midfielder Emily Gray rounded out the top three picks, heading to the North Carolina Courage. St. John’s University forward Zsannett Kajan became the first Hungarian player to be selected in the draft, going to OL Reign with the eighth overall pick. The first German to be taken, Grand Canyon University forward/midfielder Marleen Schimmer was selected by Wave FC with the ninth pick. This year’s draft saw four goalkeepers earn spots with NWSL clubs. Jordyn Bloomer (University of Wisconsin – Madison) was taken by Racing with the 26th pick, Marisa Bova (Purdue University) went 45th overall to the Courage, Claudia Dickey (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill) was taken by OL Reign with the 20th pick and Hensley Hancuff (Clemson University) was selected 34th by NJ/NY Gotham FC. This year’s draft also saw first-time selections for three universities, including Cal State - Long Beach, the University of Georgia and Gonzaga University. The full list of draftees can be found here .