Courage Select Four Players in 2023 NWSL Draft, Presented by Ally
January 12, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The North Carolina Courage have selected four players in the 2023 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Thursday night. The Courage made all four selections in the first round, taking forward Olivia Wingate out of Notre Dame sixth overall, Sydney Collins from California eighth, Clara Robbins of Florida State ninth and Haley Hopkins out of Virginia with the eleventh pick. The four first round picks tied for the most by one club in NWSL Draft history.
ROUND ONE, SIXTH OVERALL: OLIVIA WINGATE (Forward, Notre Dame)
Wingate (Wilmington, Massachusetts) is a five-year member of the Notre Dame women' soccer team, appearing in 95 games and making 74 starts. She scored 26 goals, erupting for 14 in her final season with the Fighting Irish, and dished 11 assists for her career, totaling 63 points.
She earned third team All-ACC and All-Region in 2021 before her breakout 2022 season that earned first team All-ACC and United Soccer Coaches third team All-America status. She has U.S. Women's National Team youth experience with both the U-16 and U-18 squads.
ROUND ONE, EIGHTH OVERALL: SYDNEY COLLINS (Defensive Midfielder, California)
Collins (Beaverton, Oregon) was a three-time captain for the Cal Bears. She appeared in 85 games and made 84 starts over her five-year career. She earned third team All-Pac 12 as a senior in 2021 then earned both conference and regional accolades in her final season, leading Cal in minutes played. The Courage acquired the eighth overall pick on draft night in a trade that sent forward Diana Ordóñez to the Houston Dash.
ROUND ONE, NINTH OVERALL: CLARA ROBBINS (Midfielder, Florida State)
Robbins (Stafford, Virginia) finishes her career as the all-time leader in games played in Florida State history with 110 and ranks 19th all-time in program history in scoring. She was the ACC Tournament MVP in 2021 as she helped the Seminoles to a National Championship. A versatile player that can contribute on all three lines, Robbins was second team All-ACC and All-Region in her final collegiate season. Overall, she's a three-time All-ACC performer, two-time ACC Tournament MVP and won two national championships.
ROUND ONE, ELEVENTH OVERALL: HALEY HOPKINS (Forward, Virginia)
After a decorated three-year career at Vanderbilt that featured a pair of All-American seasons, Hopkins (Newport Beach, California) finished her career with two All-ACC seasons and United Soccer Coaches second team All-Region honors in 2022, her fourth-career selection. She led the Cavaliers in goals with 14 in 2022 while her five assists tied for second on the team. Her shining moment came in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal when her equalizer forced overtime against eventual national champion UCLA.
Overall, Hopkins appeared in 104 collegiate games and made 100 starts, scoring 56 goals and adding 26 assists. She netted 21 game-winners and was 5-6 from the penalty spot, including a 3-for-4 mark in her final season at Virginia. Her father, David, was a played baseball at Virginia and later spent time in the Texas Rangers organization.
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...
National Women's Soccer League Stories from January 12, 2023
- Orlando Pride Adds a Pair of Defenders, Three Forwards in 2023 NWSL Draft - Orlando Pride
- Houston Dash Select Four Players in the 2023 NWSL Draft - Houston Dash
- Gotham FC Acquires USWNT Star and NWSL ChampionLynn Williams, Drafts NCAA Champion Jenna Nighswonger Fourth Overall - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- OL Reign Selects Two Player in 2023 NWSL Draft - Seattle Reign FC
- San Diego Wave FC Selects Three Players in 2023 NWSL Draft - San Diego Wave FC
- Thorns FC Select Four Players in 2023 NWSL Draft - Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC Selects Three Players in 2023 NWSL Draft - San Diego Wave FC
- Racing Selects Four College Standouts in 2023 NWSL Draft - Racing Louisville FC
- Chicago Red Stars Select Four Players in 2023 NWSL Draft - Chicago Red Stars
- Courage Select Four Players in 2023 NWSL Draft, Presented by Ally - North Carolina Courage
- OL Reign Acquires Defender Emily Sonnett in Trade with Washington - Seattle Reign FC
- Kansas City Current Select Three in Final Round of NWSL Draft - Kansas City Current
- Kansas City Current Select Mykiaa Minniss in Third Round - Kansas City Current
- Kansas City Current Selects Two in the Second Round of the 2023 NWSL Draft - Kansas City Current
- OL Reign Acquires Second Round Draft Pick in Trade with Chicago - Seattle Reign FC
- Kansas City Current Select Alexa Spaanstra with Tenth Pick in the First Round of the 2023 NWSL Draft - Kansas City Current
- Angel City FC NWSL Draft Results - Angel City FC
- Angel City FC Selects Alyssa Thompson as No. 1 NWSL Draft Pick - Angel City FC
- Kansas City Current Executes Trade to Acquire Second Overall Selection in 2023 NWSL Draft and Selects Forward Michelle Cooper - Kansas City Current
- Kansas City Current Acquires Second Overall Pick in Trade with NJ/NY Gotham - Kansas City Current
- NC Courage Acquire Two First Round Picks from Houston for Diana Ordóñez - North Carolina Courage
- Houston Dash Acquire Forward Diana Ordóñez from North Carolina - Houston Dash
- San Diego Wave FC Acquires 2023 NWSL Draft Pick from Gotham FC - San Diego Wave FC
- Gotham FC Acquires Fourth Overall Pick in 2023 NWSL Draft - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Racing Lands Monaghan from Gotham FC in Draft Day Trade - Racing Louisville FC
- Kansas City Current Scheduled to Have Seven Picks in 2023 NWSL Draft - Kansas City Current
- Kansas City Current Midfielder Debinha Nominated for the Best FIFA Women's Player Award - Kansas City Current
- San Diego Wave FC's Alex Morgan Named to Shortlist for the Best FIFA Women's Player Award - San Diego Wave FC
- San Diego Wave FC Signs Midfielder Megan Dougherty Howard - San Diego Wave FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent North Carolina Courage Stories
- Courage Suffer Tough-Luck Loss Against Run Of Play Sunday In Los Angeles
- Preview of Courage at Angel City FC
- Hot Start Continues for Courage in Another Shutout Victory
- Tyler Lussi's Goal And Assist Lead Courage To Third Win In Four Matches For Best Regular Season Start Since 2018
- Preview of Courage vs. Thorns Saturday