NWSL welcomes 56 draftees into the league as UNC’s Ally Sentnor goes No. 1 to Utah

ANAHEIM – The National Women’s Soccer League welcomed its largest class of drafted players to the league as 56 athletes heard their names announced Friday night at the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Utah Royals FC made six selections, including No. 1 overall pick Ally Sentnor from University of North Carolina. The expansion side made their next pick at No. 4 overall, drafting Brigham Young University forward Brecken Mozingo.

With the second overall pick, Bay FC selected North Carolina defender Savy King with their first of two first round picks.

The Washington Spirit traded for the No. 3 and 5 overall picks on draft day and selected University of Georgia midfielder Croix Bethune and Clemson defender/midfielder Hal Hershfelt. The Spirit tied an NWSL Draft record with four first round picks in total.

For the first time in league history, multiple teenagers were selected in the same draft, as Savy King (18 years, 11 months), No. 9 overall pick Ally Lemos (19 years, 10 months) and top pick Ally Sentnor were all drafted in the first round. King, Lemos and Sentnor are the third, fourth and fifth youngest draftees in NWSL history, respectively.

The 2024 NWSL Draft class features players from 30 U.S. universities, including five who saw a player drafted into the NWSL for the first time in their history. With tonight’s first-time draft picks from Utah State University, St. Mary’s College, University of Pittsburgh, University of Memphis and University of Iowa, 100 schools have had players selected in league history. Virginia and Stanford continue their streaks of having at least one pick in every draft. With six players selected this year, North Carolina leads all schools with 27 players drafted all time.

The full list of draftees can be found here.