The Washington Spirit have not had the best of seasons. Their difficulties culminated in a 1-0 defeat from the North Carolina Courage at Audi Field, forcing them to miss out on the NWSL playoffs. The game also saw a red card handed to their star player and US National team member, Trinity Rodman.
But where there are hardships, there is almost always room for improvement. The 2023 NWSL decision day recently took place and is the pinnacle of a female college soccer player’s career. Indeed the future looks bright for the DC-based side as five high performing players were added to the Washington Spirit.
Washington Spirit Add Five College Players to the Organization
Welcome to your new home ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/V1IPAYqtvb
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) January 13, 2023
Nicole Douglas (Arizona State University)
England-born Nicole Douglas was selected 26th overall in the NWSL draft to play for the Washington Spirit. Douglas remains Arizona State’s leading goal scorer having broken a record of 50 goals that lasted 20 years. Douglas left Arizona State with 60 goals. Internationally, she has represented the English women’s national team at the U17 and U19 level.
Lyza Bosselmann (Gonzaga University)
Arizona native, Lyza Bosselmann was another one of the crucial picks made by the Washington Spirit. In 2021 the goalkeeper had 63 saves, only letting 19 goals in. The same year, Bosselmann had the fourth best goals against average in program history at 1.05.
Riley Tanner (University of Alabama)
Riley Tanner is being called up to the Panama National team for the sixth time 🇵🇦https://t.co/shJHBDa7zv
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) October 18, 2023
Tanner was selected in the third round of the 2023 NWSL draft. Originally from Michigan, Tanner plays internationally for the Panamanian national team. At Alabama, she scored the winning goal against Missouri, Mississippi State and Kentucky in 2021. In 2022, she was ranked 34th nationally for assists, having participated in 8 over the season.
Lena Silano (Long Beach State University)
READ MORE: Preview: Washington Spirit Vs. North Carolina Courage On Sunday
Silano made quite an impact in her career at her alma mater, Long Beach State University. In 2022, she was named the Big West Offensive Player of the Year . The same year, a bicycle kick goal scored by Silano in the later part of a match went viral, with clips of the moment picked up by outlets such as Sports Illustrated and ESPN.
Civana Kuhlmann (University of Colorado, Boulder)
READ MORE: North Carolina Courage Crush Washington Spirit’s Playoff Hopes
Civana Kuhlmann could be one of DC’s most significant drafts. She has represented the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) at the U14, U15, U17, U18 and U20 levels. Given this trajectory, Kuhlmann could be seen on the US senior team in the near future. She was most notably the only American player to score a hat trick at the U17 World Cup.
While the season hasn’t really brought the wins the Washington Spirit have been hoping for, its attendance at matches has been increasing. Their October 15 game against the North Carolina Courage saw an audience turnout of 15,479. With the departure of their former coach Mark Parsons and the addition of five players from the NWSL draft, next season could bring great things for D.C.
Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports, of a Nicole Douglas Headshot, on July 8, 2023.
