What to know about the NWSL college draft 

Florida State capped the NCAA women’s soccer season, snagging their third national title last week. Now, all eyes are on the 2022 NWSL Draft.The College Draft is set to begin Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. ET.San Diego Wave FC locked up the premier pick in the 2022 NWSL College Draft following a coin toss victory over fellow expansion team Angel City FC. San Diego holds the first selection in Rounds 1 and 3, while Los Angeles secured the No. 1 slot in the NWSL Expansion Draft.

Round 1 College Draft order:

1. San Diego Wave FC

2. Racing Louisville FC

3. North Carolina Courage

4. Racing Louisville FC

5. Orlando Pride

6. Houston Dash

7. North Carolina Courage

8. NJ/NY Gotham FC

9. San Diego Wave FC

10. OL Reign

11. Chicago Red Stars

12. Kansas City Current

*order is subject to change as trade updates ( ) continueHere’s Gaming Society’s mock draft, as told by the sportsbook:

1. San Diego Wave FC selects Jaelin Howell, M, Florida State
Odds to be selected first: +250 (bet $100 → $250)

Howell, a two-time national championship winner, has been a staple in the Seminoles lineup, appearing in 85 games, tallying 13 goals, 12 assists, earning a pair of ACC Midfielder of the Year awards, and 2020-21 MAC Hermann Trophy winner.Howell is one of the most dynamic, two-way players in the game. Not only does she attack the net, but she’s a defensive midfielder who can string together plays.

2. Racing Louisville FC selects Naomi Girma, D, Stanford
Odds to be selected second: +300 (bet $100 → $300)

While leading Stanford’s backline, Girma notched two Pac-12 defensive Player of the Year awards, 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, and helped guide the Cardinal to a Natty in 2019.The center back is one of the top stars as an intimidating, ball-playing defender. She challenges opponents without question, and her experience on U.S. youth squads prepared her for the higher-level attackers in the NWSL.

3. North Carolina Courage selects Penelope Hocking, F, Southern California
Odds to be selected third: +550 (bet $100 → $550)

Hocking’s been an absolute force in 72 games as a Trojan, becoming the programs’ all-time leading goal scorer with 53 goals, with 22 assists. The striker tallied 11 goals en route to Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.The California native’s skills and ability make her an immediate option to slot in on any NWSL roster.

4. Racing Louisville FC selects Mia Fishel, F, UCLA
Odds to be selected fourth: +700 (bet $100 → $700)

The junior who declared early for the draft already built a stacked resume as a Bruin, with 32 goals and 14 assists with back-to-back All-American honors from United Soccer Coaches. Fishel is a high-volume scorer, and as a freshman tallied a team-high 14 goals for UCLA. While she’s young, her talent is clear and will haunt defenses in the league for years to come.

5. Orlando Pride selects Emily Madril, CB, Florida State
Odds to be selected fifth: +800 (bet $100 → $800)

Madril became an essential piece of the Seminoles’ backline over the last few seasons, playing 4,969 minutes and finishing with a 2021 ACC Defender of the Year award.The central defender has the ability to move up to holding midfielder due to her unmatched ball-handling skill.

Term of the Day