Sierra Enge, San Diego Wave FC

Sierra Enge, San Diego Wave FC
Sierra Enge will begin her professional career close to home — her native Cardiff, Calif., is just a 30-minute drive from San Diego. The West Coast soccer scene has been good to Enge. She played collegiately at Stanford, helping the Cardinal win the NCAA title in 2019. At the Wave, Enge will also be reunited with her former college teammate, Naomi Girma.

She was named the 2022 Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year and is working towards her master’s in communication. Enge put those skills to good use during the start of the COVID pandemic, penning an essay for Just Women’s Sports about what it meant to be without soccer.

“‘One of my favorite mantras is ‘control what you can control,’ she wrote. “During this time of so many uncontrollables, I am finding things I can control.”

After a difficult final season at Stanford mourning the loss of her friend and fellow co-captain Katie Meyer, Enge has become outspoken about mental health, the pressure on student-athletes, and the systemic failures that allow students in need to slip through the cracks.

“We want to celebrate her,” Enge told the San Francisco Chronicle in September. “But at the same time, we want to deal with it. We’ve really tried to celebrate her by trying to create change.”

Grace Yochum, Chicago Red Stars
As a sophomore in high school, Grace Yochum committed to Mississippi State, but after a coaching change, MSU rescinded its scholarship offer. She told The O’Colly that at that moment, she thought she was done playing soccer.

That was until she was scouted by Oklahoma State. Fast forward a few soccer seasons, and Yochum set a Cowgirl record with 41 career goals.

Her mother, Mary, said it is just like her daughter to give it her all, even if she starts down and out.

“She pours herself in 100%,” Mary told The O’Colly. “Grace doesn’t dream these giant big dreams that she chases. She just continues to excel and is elevated because people see her potential. I don’t think she’s done yet. I don’t think we’ve seen the best she has to offer yet.”

Gabrielle Robinson, Kansas City Current
Gabrielle Robinson is heading from West Virginia where she started for the Mountaineers to the flats of midwest Kansas City. A starter from her very first game at WVU, the defender/midfielder hopes to replicate that success with the Current.

In her senior season, Robinson scored her second collegiate career goal in superb fashion. She put the equalizer in the back of the net against Oklahoma State in a late-season road game, and Robinson’s celly was a perfect (and very fun) demonstration of her composure.

After scoring on a pristine headball, Robinson dropped down into a meditative pose for a quick moment of zen before being lifted up by her teammates.

Kayla Fischer, Racing Louisville FC
Like many collegiate players who had the option to come back for a fifth year due to the pandemic, Kayla Fischer carefully considered both paths.

Ultimately, returning to Ohio State for a fifth year was a no-brainer for Fischer, and it’s a choice that paid off. In her final season with the Buckeyes, Fischer scored a career-high eight goals — all while in the school’s nurse practitioner program.

Buckeyes coach Lori Walker-Hock told The Record-Courier that she saw Fischer’s fifth year as a chance to prepare her for this exact moment, but Fischer herself saw it as another chance to do what she loves.

"It's kind of like a bonus year," Fischer told The Record Courier. "[It's] kind of just like I can go in carefree and I wasn't even supposed to be here this year and just play. And if everything goes well, maybe I'll be playing again, but if not, just give it everything I have because it is my last year [at Ohio State], so it could be done."

Turns out, she’s not done yet.

Brianna Martinez, Racing Louisville FC
Two-time Notre Dame captain Brianna Martinez spent her collegiate years in Indiana, but she was born and raised in New Mexico. She made history this month, becoming the first New Mexico native to be drafted in the NWSL.

And she is very proud to represent the Land of Enchantment. The Albuquerque native even brought a state flag with her for the Fighting Irish’s portrait day to show her pride.

“This one’s for the folks back home,” she wrote on Instagram.

Jordan Silkowitz, Kansas City Current
Jordan Silkowitz is another draftee who made history this month — as the first Iowa State player to be selected in the NWSL draft. She was also the first goalkeeper picked in this year’s draft, in a record-setting year for keepers with a total of six selected.

[Empty Body] Growing up, Silkowitz was an avid SportsCenter watcher, she said on From The Other Cyde podcast, and in 2021, a wild save landed her on the coveted Top 10. Despite her former morning routine, Silkowitz didn’t catch her SportsCenter debut live. “Honestly, I had no idea,” she said. “Funny story actually. My dad got this email from his coworker. I think he got the email at like 4 a.m. and he sends it to me and it’s a recording. Someone is like, is this your daughter on SportsCenter?” Shae Holmes, OL Reign It’s a Holmes field advantage, if you will. That’s right. Shae Holmes won’t have to go far for the start of her professional career. The former Washington Husky is staying in Seattle. It’s only fitting then that Holmes heard her name called during the draft at a Seattle women’s sports bar. The city won’t be the only familiar thing for Holmes. In 2020, Holmes was part of the U-20 US Women’s National Team, a team that was headed by none other than Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “I am honestly speechless and just overwhelmed with so much joy,” Holmes said. “Ever since I have been coached by Laura in the World Cup qualifying, I loved her as a coach, and I have always wanted to be coached by her again.” [Empty Body] Sophie Hirst, Houston Dash Being a student-athlete requires discipline, balance, time management, and passion. Add in a Harvard education and a concentration in neuroscience, and it is certainly no walk in the park. But that is precisely what Sophie Hirst did. One high school teammate called Hirst a “steady” player who “never lets bad things get her down.” That kind of even-keeled attitude has served her well thus far on the pitch and in balancing her rigorous schedule. On top of her soccer obligations, Hirst found time to volunteer with a youth tutoring program and serve meals to those in need, according to Harvard Athletics. Messiah Bright, Orlando Pride Sometimes the best birthday gifts can’t be wrapped. Messiah Bright knows that. On her 23rd birthday, Bright was selected 21st overall by the Orlando Pride. The forward tweeted, “23, Be good to me. Thank you GOD for waking me up with another year.” It’s safe to say this trip around the sun is off to a good start. [Empty Body] On an episode of Shea Butter FC , Bright talked about everything from falling in love with soccer and what it meant to play for a Black coach at Texas Christian University to her favorite hype

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up songs and sneakers. In addition to being a powerhouse forward, she’s also mastered the art of the TikTok transition. Case in point. Jyllissa Harris, Houston Dash Speaking of smooth transitions … Houston, your TikTok game is about to be unreal. Jyllissa Harris comes to the Dash from the University of South Carolina, where she will reunite with her former Gamecock teammate, Ryan Gareis. Not only does that mean a natural chemistry on the field, it also means they can resume their iconic social media presence. Harris and Gareis gained a TikTok following having fun, doing dances, and making jokes on the app. It’s safe to say it won’t be long before they are back in business. [Empty Body] > @jyharris33 Gameday BABY!!!! @ryangareis22 #gamecocks #gameday ? INDUSTRY BABY - Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow Ally Schlegel, Chicago Red Stars Ally Schlegel isn’t the only Nittany Lion to become a Red Star — she joins her former teammate, Penelope Hocking, in Chicago. Together, they were a force on offense in 2022, combining for a total of 20 goals and 59 shots on goal over the course of the season. [Empty Body] And this isn’t the first time that Schlegel has reunited with former teammates. With Cassie Hiatt transferring to Penn State in 2022, it meant childhood soccer pals were brought together again, and they’ve got the adorable pictures to prove it. [Empty Body] Lauren DeBeau, Portland Thorns FC Lauren DeBeau is a Big Ten Champion. She’s a Big Ten Forward of the Year. She is also a big Big Time Rush fan. Yes, Big Time Rush — the band from the Nickelodeon show that ran from 2009 to 2013. That Big Time Rush. Though BTR took a hiatus for several years, DeBeau’s fandom clearly never wavered. She posed with the band’s flag for official Spartan photos. [Empty Body] And just last year, she whipped out a homemade globe hat that she used to try to get the band’s attention as their “worldwide girl.” In a hilarious TikTok that has over 90,000 likes , DeBeau shows that it definitely did not work. Get to Know the Rookies Get to Know the Rookies - Round  1 [Get to Know the Rookies - Round 3

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