Penn State Women's Soccer Sets Program Record at NWSL Draft
Penn State football has been on a strong NFL Draft run of late, but the women's soccer team had a memorable draft of its own recently. Five Nittany Lions were selected in the 2024 National Women's Soccer League Draft, setting a Penn State women's soccer record. The previous record was three in 2016, the draft after Penn State won the 2015 NCAA championship.
Two Penn State players were selected in the first round: defender Kate Wiesner went No. 7 overall to the Washington Spirit, and forward Payton Linnehan was drafted 11th by Portland Thorns FC. Defender Ellie Wheeler went to Kansas City in the second round, midfielder Cory Dyke to Orlando in the second round and goalkeeper Katherine Asman to Portland in the third round.
"I am incredibly proud of Kat, Cori, Payton, Ellie and Kate, and I fully believe that each of them will bring something special to the NWSL," Penn State women's soccer coach Erica Dambach said in a statement. "When these young women first picked up a soccer ball when they were little and hit the field for the first time, they all dreamed of this night. It was incredibly special for me personally, as well as our entire staff, to be with them as their dreams came true.”
The quintet led Penn State to a 16-3-4 record in 2023 and a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals. Penn State made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight, the most among Big Ten programs. Penn State has played in 29 consecutive NCAA tournaments, the nation's second-longest streak after North Carolina.
In 17 years as Penn State's coach, Dambach has guided the program to 11 Big Ten titles and five Big Ten Tournament championships. Dambach is the only Big Ten coach to win a national championship.
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