ECNL Girls alumni comprise 70 percent of players in Women’s College Cup

RICHMOND, VA – The NCAA Division I Women’s College Cup is currently taking place in Cary, North Carolina and this year, much like every other season, it is brimming with ECNL alumni.

In total, the four teams competing – Florida State, North Carolina, Santa Clara and Virginia – combine for 80 ECNL alumni among the four rosters, making up 70 percent of all players in the Final Four.

Over the past five seasons, the ECNL has averaged more than 75 ECNL alumni each year competing in the Final Four, and this year the ECNL cleared that benchmark with room to spare.

“We are incredibly proud of all of the talented ECNL alumni who continue to lead their teams to the pinnacle of college soccer, and congratulate them and their college programs,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle. “Beyond the great work this season, this accomplishment is also a testament to the preparation the players received in their youth clubs, the challenge of a league environment designed to continuously push the nation’s best athletes, and to the players’ own incredible work and dedication to improve for years. We are proud to have been a part of their journey, celebrate their contribution to the sport and look forward to watching some phenomenal play this weekend.”

Below is a brief look at each team and the ECNL alums rostered, along with quick facts about each program.

Florida State

• 56 percent of rostered players are ECNL alumni
• Top seeded team in College Cup in 2020
• Reaches 11th College Cup, tied for third-most in NCAA history
• Two previous College Cup championships (2014, 2018), both of which included ECNL alumni

North Carolina

• 74.2 percent of rostered players are ECNL alumni
• Reaches 30th College Cup, the most in women’s soccer history
• Winningest program in women’s college history with 21 national championships
• Last won College Cup in 2012, starting a streak of eight consecutive seasons with ECNL alumni on the championship team

Santa Clara

• 69.2 percent of rostered players are ECNL alumni
• Seeded 11th in College Cup in 2020
• Reaches 11th College Cup, tied for third-most in NCAA history, and its first since 2004
• Won the College Cup in 2001

Virginia

• 80.6 percent of rostered players are ECNL alumni
• Only non-seeded team to reach 2020 College Cup
• Reaches fourth College Cup, and first since 2014
• Searching for first-ever College Cup championship