Soccer FSU players set for NWSL draft

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

Three former Florida State women's soccer players will hope to hear their name called on Friday night as the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) will take place in Anaheim, Calif., at 8 p.m. eastern. The first two hours of the draft can be seen live (ION and ION Plus).

Viewers can find access to ION in their area by visiting https://iontelevision.com/find-us.

Lauren Flynn, Leilanni Nesbeth and Cristina Roque have all entered the 2023 NWSL Draft after terrific careers with the Seminoles. The trio has won two National Championships (2021, 2023), four ACC Tournament Championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) while also qualifying for four consecutive College Cups (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).

After coming to Tallahassee as a forward in 2020, Flynn made her way to the backline and became one of the best defenders in college soccer. Flynn was named the NCAA Tournament Defensive Most Outstanding Player after the Seminoles allowed just one goal in six games on their way to their fourth National Championship. Flynn and the Florida State defense allowed just 14 goals in 22 games. Flynn had a career year on the offensive end as well scoring five goals including her first career hat trick against NC State.

In five seasons with the Seminoles, Nesbeth became the leader and voice of the Seminoles as a defensive midfielder. In five seasons, Nesbeth played in 89 games while making 72 starts. She scored 15 goals while also adding 14 assists. Nestbeth was a two-time All-ACC honoree picking up second team honors in both 2022 and 2023.

Roque is going to go down as one of the top goalies in Seminole history as she came up in the clutch in countless moments for FSU in the past four years. Roque ended her career as the school record for both wins and shutouts in the NCAA Tournament. This season, Roque led the Seminoles to 14 shutouts while allowing just 14 goals. Roque will leave Tallahassee as a two-time All-American, three-time All-ACC performer and the 2022 ACC Goalkeeper of the Year.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

Former Florida State women's soccer players Leilanni Nesbeth, Lauren Flynn and Cristina Roque all were selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft on Friday night in Anaheim, Calif. This is the second consecutive season that FSU has had three or more picks in the NWSL Draft. FSU has now had 21 players drafted into the NWSL in program history.

Nesbeth was the first Seminole off the board as the midfielder from St. David's, Bermuda, was selected by the Chicago Red Stars with the 10th overall pick in the first round. Nesbeth kept the Seminoles' streak alive as FSU has now had a first round pick in three consecutive seasons. Jaelin Howell was selected in the first round in 2022 while Jenna Nighswonger, Clara Robbins and Emily Madril were selected in the first round in the 2023 draft.

Flynn and Roque will rejoin forces in Salt Lake City, Utah, next season as both players were selected by the Utah Royals who will be entering their first season in the NWSL. Flynn was picked with the second pick in the second round (16th pick overall) to give FSU their second draftee of the night. Flynn played in 79 games while making 70 starts for the Seminoles over the course of her career. Flynn ended her career with seven goals and three assists, five of those goals which came in 2023.

Roque was the second goalkeeper to be taken off the board as she was picked in the third round with the 33rd overall pick. In 67 games as a Seminoles, Roque allowed just 0.67 goals per game. Roque ended her career with a terrific record in goal with 59 wins, six draws and just two losses. Roque ended her career as the school record holder in both wins and shutouts in the NCAA Tournament.

 

[c691027]

Thanks for thr writeups! Our Lady Noles keep on winning in seemingly almost every sport at the highest levels!!!