PHILADELPHIA – Four Cougar soccer student-athletes are registered for the upcoming 2023 NWSL Draft presented by Ally, scheduled to begin Thursday, January 12 at 6 p.m. ET. The annual college draft will be held during the United Soccer Coaches Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Fifth-year WSU seniors Elaily Hernandez-Repreza, Aaqila McLyn, Mykiaa Minniss, and Sydney Studer have all registered for the opportunity to be selected to one of the National Women's Soccer League's 12 professional clubs.
The 2023 Draft will air live on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ, the free 24/7 streaming sports news network, from 6 to 7 p.m. ET. Coverage of the draft will continue on Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ from 7 to 11 p.m. ET.
Washington State has become a prominent feature in the Draft, with a Cougar taken in the top-10 each of the last three years. In 2020, Morgan Weaver was selected No. 2 overall by the Portland Thorns, followed by Trinity Rodman in 2021 as the second overall pick to the Washington Spirit. Last year, Elyse Bennett continued the streak, being selected No. 7 to Kansas City Current.
Hernandez-Repreza finished her Cougar career with 81 all-time appearances, finishing tied for ninth all-time in games played by a field player. The Huntington Park, Calif., native tallied seven assists in her career with over 3,000 minutes played. At the national level, she captained the El Salvador Women's Under-20 National Team, including at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship.
McLyn, a redshirt-fifth year senior out of Long Beach, Calif. returned from a season-ending injury to become the starting left back in 2022, starting in all 19 games for the Cougs while playing 1,319 minutes. McLyn finished her college career with 85 career appearances, tied with former teammate Morgan Weaver at sixth all-time in WSU history. McLyn was part of the Cougars' historic 2019 run to the College Cup and finished her college career with 5,934 minutes played and 75 career starts.
Minniss, a fifth-year senior defender, picked up USC All-Region honors for the second-consecutive season. She concluded her career as one of the most decorated and experienced players in WSU soccer history with 92 career starts, most all-time in program history for matches started by a field player. The Colorado Springs native started all 92 matches in her college career, finishing with over 8,300 minutes played. Minniss finished her collegiate career with four Pac-12 All-Conference honors and two United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region recognitions for her play as a starting center back.
Studer finished her college career with over 7,900 minutes played in 91 games with 89 career starts. During her final college season, Studer scored three goals from the defensive midfield and backline. She began the season as a United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Player to Watch. Studer concluded her career as a two-time all-conference selection and two-time USC all-region honoree.
Seven former Cougar soccer student-athletes currently compete in the NWSL, with eight all-time draft selections since the League was established in 2012.
Fifth-year WSU seniors Elaily Hernandez-Repreza, Aaqila McLyn, Mykiaa Minniss, and Sydney Studer have all registered for the opportunity to be selected to one of the National Women's Soccer League's 12 professional clubs.
The 2023 Draft will air live on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ, the free 24/7 streaming sports news network, from 6 to 7 p.m. ET. Coverage of the draft will continue on Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ from 7 to 11 p.m. ET.
Washington State has become a prominent feature in the Draft, with a Cougar taken in the top-10 each of the last three years. In 2020, Morgan Weaver was selected No. 2 overall by the Portland Thorns, followed by Trinity Rodman in 2021 as the second overall pick to the Washington Spirit. Last year, Elyse Bennett continued the streak, being selected No. 7 to Kansas City Current.
Hernandez-Repreza finished her Cougar career with 81 all-time appearances, finishing tied for ninth all-time in games played by a field player. The Huntington Park, Calif., native tallied seven assists in her career with over 3,000 minutes played. At the national level, she captained the El Salvador Women's Under-20 National Team, including at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship.
McLyn, a redshirt-fifth year senior out of Long Beach, Calif. returned from a season-ending injury to become the starting left back in 2022, starting in all 19 games for the Cougs while playing 1,319 minutes. McLyn finished her college career with 85 career appearances, tied with former teammate Morgan Weaver at sixth all-time in WSU history. McLyn was part of the Cougars' historic 2019 run to the College Cup and finished her college career with 5,934 minutes played and 75 career starts.
Minniss, a fifth-year senior defender, picked up USC All-Region honors for the second-consecutive season. She concluded her career as one of the most decorated and experienced players in WSU soccer history with 92 career starts, most all-time in program history for matches started by a field player. The Colorado Springs native started all 92 matches in her college career, finishing with over 8,300 minutes played. Minniss finished her collegiate career with four Pac-12 All-Conference honors and two United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region recognitions for her play as a starting center back.
Studer finished her college career with over 7,900 minutes played in 91 games with 89 career starts. During her final college season, Studer scored three goals from the defensive midfield and backline. She began the season as a United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Player to Watch. Studer concluded her career as a two-time all-conference selection and two-time USC all-region honoree.
Seven former Cougar soccer student-athletes currently compete in the NWSL, with eight all-time draft selections since the League was established in 2012.