Rachel Daly was the No. 6 pick in the NWSL draft.
BALITMORE, Md. – Two BIG EAST women’s soccer standouts learned their playing careers would continue on Friday when they were selected in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft. BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Rachel Daly of St. John’s was a first-round pick, selected sixth overall by the Houston Dash. DePaul’s defensive specialist Sarah Gorden was second pick of the third round, 22
nd overall, by the hometown Chicago Red Stars. A total of 40 collegiate players were picked over four rounds by the NWSL’s 10 teams.
Daly earned her first round selection after completing the most noteworthy career in the history of the program this fall. During her three years in Queens, Daly shattered the Red Storm’s all-time records for goals (50) and points (111), passing Adriana Viola in both categories.
The Harrogate, England, native earned countless accolades on the conference and national level, receiving three bids to the All-BIG EAST First Team and taking home the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year honor in 2013 and 2015.
This past season, Daly became the first player in program history to be selected to the NSCAA All-America First Team after ranking third in the NCAA with 19 goals. A three-time First Team All-Region selection by the organization, Daly was also named an NSCAA Second Team All-American in 2013.
During her senior season, Daly was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in all of college soccer, and is one just four finalists nationwide for the Honda Sport Award. Daly is in elite company with regard to the latter award, as she is joined by today’s first overall pick Emily Sonnet, today’s second overall pick Raquel Rodriguez and West Virginia’s Kadeisha Buchanan, who starred for Canada in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A standout in the classroom as well, Daly was a two-time selection to the NSCAA Scholar All-America Team and became the fourth player in St. John’s history to find a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America team in 2015.
As a senior captain in 2015, Daly led the Red Storm to its best season in program history. In addition to making the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons, the squad broke the school’s single season wins record (15) and took home the Red Storm’s first-ever BIG EAST Regular Season Title.
Sarah Gorden made history for DePaul on Friday becoming the first women’s soccer player to ever be selected in the National Women’s Soccer League College Draft.
Gorden spearheaded a back line that helped lead the Blue Demons to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, Gorden & Co. set a school record with a 20-game undefeated streak that was tied with No. 1-ranked UCLA for longest in the nation.
DePaul has gone 28-5-8 over the last two seasons and won its first BIG EAST regular-season and tournament titles in 2014 with Gorden anchoring the back line.
“This is a dream come true,” said Gorden a stalwart defender who was NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team and All-BIG EAST First Team last season. “Coming to play for the Red Stars, there’s no place else I’d rather be.”