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NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Howell Leads off Racing's Six-Player 2022 NWSL Draft Class

December 18, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Midfielder Jaelin Howell with the US Women's National Team
Midfielder Jaelin Howell with the US Women's National Team
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: ISI Photos)

Racing Louisville FC acquired six players Saturday in the 2022 NWSL Draft, starting off with a blockbuster selection at No. 2 overall.

Following San Diego Wave FC's pick of Stanford defender Naomi Girma at No. 1, Racing selected another up-and-coming U.S. Women's National Team member in Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell.

"Jaelin's someone we were hoping to get. It's a huge addition," said James O'Connor, Racing's executive vice president of development. O'Connor worked with recently named head coach Kim Björkegren, who continues to await work visa approval before his move to Louisville, on the draft.

"When you look at Jaelin's quality and range of passing," O'Connor added, "there are so many factors that make this a big plus for us. We're absolutely ecstatic to get her. I think it's just great for the whole organization."

Howell, the 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy winner for national player of the year, is a finalist to go back-to-back for the award after helping the Seminoles to a recent national championship. She is also twice capped for the USWNT at age 22.

"I'm psyched," Howell said. "I'm super excited to get started with Louisville. Obviously I had a great program with Florida State and Mark Krikorian as a coach. I'm just trying to take everything I learned from the game from my past games and bring it to Louisville. I'm excited to get started.

"I think Louisville has a good team already and I'm just trying to bring what I know to do best. That's be physical and also connect the game. Whatever they need me to do, I'm 100% in and I'm excited to get started."

Racing acquired the second pick in an earlier trade with Angel City FC. The club also selected fourth in each round - picking up USC midfielder Savannah DeMelo at No. 4 overall - and had the No. 26 pick in the second round by way of a trade with the Houston Dash.

"I tore my Achilles back in April 2019 and, honestly, when it happened, a lot of people told me It's a really hard injury to come back from," DeMelo said. "I knew that this was what I wanted to do and that getting to the next level, the pro level, was the level I wanted to get to.

"It's all about the work I do off the field. I did all my recovery right, got my fitness back. It obviously took some time to get back to the player I used to be, but I'm really happy with where I'm at. I'm just super excited to get to do that next journey with Louisville."

Racing rounded out its selections by taking Oklahoma State defender Charmé Morgan (second round, No. 16 overall); Wisconsin goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer (second round, No. 26 overall); Wake Forest forward Jenna Menta (third round, No. 30 overall); and Georgetown defender Sydney Cummings (fourth round, No. 42 overall).

Those six picks supplemented a big day of trades for Racing on the eve of the draft. Business concluded with forward Jessica McDonald - a U.S. international and all-time NWSL assists leader - headed to Louisville for 2022.

Additionally, the club can expected to have a trio of 2021 draft picks who returned to school available next year. Each of forward Kirsten Davis (Texas Tech), midfielder Parker Goins (Arkansas) and defender Emily Smith (California) are expected in preseason camp.

"The biggest thing with this particular draft is Kim has been clear on what type of player he wants," O'Connor said. "There's been great discussion with him, and then when you look at the last 24 hours, it's been an absolute whirlwind. To get a player like Jess McDonald and then Jaelin Howell, combined with all the other picks and last year's draft, we're really excited going into the preseason."

First round, No. 2: Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell

A two-time NCAA champion, Howell, from Lone Tree, Colo., comes to Louisville following a heavily decorated four-year run with the Seminoles. The 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy winner for national player of the year, Howell tallied 96 Florida State appearances on her way to earning All-ACC First Team Honors in 2019, 2021 and 2021. The 22-year-old midfielder also shows promise on the international stage having already competed with the United States Women's National Team at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup as well as the U-17 and U-20 FIFA World Cups. Howell was also selected to the Best XI at the 2016 and 2018 CONCACAF Championships.

First round, No. 4: USC midfielder Savannah DeMelo

The three-time All Pac-12 honoree joins Louisville following a successful collegiate career at USC. A Bellflower, Calif. native, she poured in 17 goals paired with 28 assists across 75 appearances as a Trojan. DeMelo was a youth international who climbed the ranks to compete in the 2016 and 2018 U-20 FIFA World Cups with the United States. She started three games during the Americans' 2018 run and poured in four goals, including a hat trick in a 6-0 win against Paraguay.

Second round, No. 16: Oklahoma State defender Charmé Morgan

A two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection who helped the Cowgirls win a pair of league titles in 2017 and 2019, Morgan tallied 11 goals and 9 assists across 86 career starts with Oklahoma State. The defender from Frisco, Texas, took home all-region honors from the United Soccer Coaches in three consecutive seasons, with selections in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Second round, No. 26: Wisconsin goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer

An All-American between the posts, Bloomer joins Louisville fresh off three years starting for the Badgers. The back-to-back Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and all-conference first team selection finished off her college career leading the conference in shutouts with seven and ranked third in goals against average (.682). A Hartland, Wis., native, Bloomer recorded 246 saves across 79 appearances for Wisconsin to average a save percentage of .823. Bloomer's 73 saves during the 2018 season put her in the top 10 in school history for most in a single season.

Third round, No. 30: Wake Forest forward Jenna Menta

The 2020 Big East Offensive Player of the Year at Georgetown, Menta transferred to play last fall at Wake Forest, where she poured in 6 goals and a team-leading 7 assists as the Demon Deacons recorded the program's best season with a trip to the NCAA Tournament's second round. From Somers, N.Y., Menta tallied 5 goals and 8 assists in her final, shortened season due to COVID-19 with the Hoyas.

Fourth round, No. 42: Georgetown defender Sydney Cummings

An All-Ivy League performer in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with Brown University, Cummings transferred to Georgetown for her senior season to net 5 goals across 22 appearances as a defender. At Brown, the Millstone Township, N.J., native played 4,803 minutes out of a possible 4,822 in her three seasons. A center back, Cummings tallied 2 goals and 8 assists while starting all 52 games during her time at Brown.

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Images from this story

Midfielder Jaelin Howell with the US Women's National Team
Midfielder Jaelin Howell with the US Women's National Team
(ISI Photos)		   

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