ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft less than a week away, Knights forwards Carol Rodrigues and Cortney O'Connell are looking to take the next step in their respective careers.
The NWSL recently announced the preliminary list of 148 players eligible for selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. ET at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Los Angeles.
Rodrigues, who joined UCF as a transfer from Monroe, notched 23 goals (7 game winners), eight assists, and 54 total points in her two seasons with the Knights. She was named the 2015 AAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and the Black and Gold were an astonishing 16-2-1 when the Brazilian native scored a goal.
A Virginia native and transfer from Miami, O'Connell's speed and ball handling skills made her an immediate threat and kept opponents on their heels. She tallied four goals and two assists over two seasons, including the Knights first goal of 2016 against perennial powerhouse Duke.
The Knights were 9-8-2 this past season and wrapped up play in the conference quarterfinals, falling to SMU in a shoot out 3-2.
