Colorado University Athletics
Danica Evans conducts interviews following her selection by the Orlando Pride on Thursday.
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Evans Selected 22nd Overall In NWSL Draft
January 12, 2017 | Soccer
LOS ANGELES – Colorado women's soccer player Danica Evans was drafted with the second pick of the third round (22nd overall) of the NWSL Draft on Thursday by the Orlando Pride.
Evans, a native of Lakewood, Colorado, is second CU player to be drafted in the NWSL, which started in 2013. Amy Barczuk was selected in the second round (14th overall) by the Western New York Flash in 2013.
Evans is coming off an outstanding senior season for the Buffaloes. She started all 22 matches at forward, leading them to a 15-6-1 record and the second round NCAA Tournament as the Buffs finished tied for second place in the Pac-12 with national champion Southern California. She scored 11 goals and had six assists for 28 points, the second-highest point total in a single season in Colorado history. She caught fire late in the season, totaling 17 points on seven goals and three assists over the final nine matches of the season.
Evans was a first-team all-Pac-12 selection and named NSCAA third-team all-Pacific Region. She is currently in camp with the U-23 United States Women's National Team in Carson, California.
Evans is the sixth Colorado player to be on a roster in the NWSL. Barczuk played in 48 matches for the Western New York Flash and Boston Breakers in three seasons in the league before retiring in 2016.
Nikki Marshall, a current CU assistant coach, was drafted in the WPS in 2010, but was signed by Portland Thorns FC in 2013 when the NWSL started. She was the only Thorns FC player to start the club's first 46 matches in the NWSL, but retired in late in 2014 after a career-ending knee injury.
Michelle (Wenino) Lomnicki signed with the Chicago Red Stars in the 2013 inaugural season and played in 48 matches over three seasons before retiring in 2016.
Annie Brunner was a member of the Western New York Flash for part of the 2015 season, but did not appear in any matches. Kate Scheele was a backup goalkeeper for the Houston Dash in 2016, but also did not see any match action.
Thursday was a big day for the Pac-12 Conference at the NWSL Draft. Six of the 10 players selected in the first round played in the Conference of Champions.
The Orlando Pride features four current USWNT players, including Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris and Kristen Edmonds. The NWSL season begins in April.
Evans, a native of Lakewood, Colorado, is second CU player to be drafted in the NWSL, which started in 2013. Amy Barczuk was selected in the second round (14th overall) by the Western New York Flash in 2013.
Evans is coming off an outstanding senior season for the Buffaloes. She started all 22 matches at forward, leading them to a 15-6-1 record and the second round NCAA Tournament as the Buffs finished tied for second place in the Pac-12 with national champion Southern California. She scored 11 goals and had six assists for 28 points, the second-highest point total in a single season in Colorado history. She caught fire late in the season, totaling 17 points on seven goals and three assists over the final nine matches of the season.
Evans was a first-team all-Pac-12 selection and named NSCAA third-team all-Pacific Region. She is currently in camp with the U-23 United States Women's National Team in Carson, California.
Evans is the sixth Colorado player to be on a roster in the NWSL. Barczuk played in 48 matches for the Western New York Flash and Boston Breakers in three seasons in the league before retiring in 2016.
Nikki Marshall, a current CU assistant coach, was drafted in the WPS in 2010, but was signed by Portland Thorns FC in 2013 when the NWSL started. She was the only Thorns FC player to start the club's first 46 matches in the NWSL, but retired in late in 2014 after a career-ending knee injury.
Michelle (Wenino) Lomnicki signed with the Chicago Red Stars in the 2013 inaugural season and played in 48 matches over three seasons before retiring in 2016.
Annie Brunner was a member of the Western New York Flash for part of the 2015 season, but did not appear in any matches. Kate Scheele was a backup goalkeeper for the Houston Dash in 2016, but also did not see any match action.
Thursday was a big day for the Pac-12 Conference at the NWSL Draft. Six of the 10 players selected in the first round played in the Conference of Champions.
The Orlando Pride features four current USWNT players, including Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris and Kristen Edmonds. The NWSL season begins in April.
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