CHICAGO – Penn State women's soccer captains Maddie Nolf and Emily Ogle were selected in the 2019 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft Thursday at the annual United Soccer Coaches convention. The Nittany Lions have had at least one selection in all seven NWSL College Drafts. Both Penn Staters were drafted in the third round, with Ogle going to Portland Thorns FC at No. 24 and Nolf being taken by Utah Royals FC at No. 27.
"NWSL Draft Day is always an exciting day for our Penn State seniors and today was no exception!" head coach Erica Dambach said. "We're thrilled to see Maddie and Emily have the opportunity to continue their careers at Utah and Portland, respectively and today was an important first step towards becoming a pro player in our country."
The Penn State connection to Portland is strong as Elizabeth Ball, Britt Eckerstrom and Mallory Weber were with Thorns FC last season. Nolf is the first Nittany Lion to join Utah Royals FC after they played their first season in 2018.
Both Nolf and Ogle have seen time in the United States Women's National Team program as they were on the U-20 U.S. Women's National Team at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup during the fall of 2016.
"Thank you to Utah for this opportunity," Nolf said. "God's plan is always far greater than my own. I am feeling very blessed today. So thankful for everyone in my life who supports me, inspires me, and pushes me. This opportunity will be taken with all my effort and enthusiasm!"
Nolf, a defender, played in 91 career games for Penn State, which included 77 starts. Offensively, Nolf tallied 10 points during her time as a Nittany Lion. In the classroom, Nolf was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to play for Portland Thorns FC," Ogle said. "Thank you to the Penn State staff, coaches and all of my teammates along the way. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without each and every one of them."
During her career at PSU, Ogle started, and played in, 100 games, scored 20 goals and netted 21 assists.
In 2018, Ogle started all 25 matches and finished the year with 17 points on six goals and five assists. With her appearance at Florida State on Nov. 23, Ogle became the eighth Nittany Lion to play in 100 career games. In her four seasons playing for Penn State, she received three All-Region First Team honors (2015, '17 and '18) and one All-Region Third Team plaudit ('14).
Along with her All-Region and Second Team All-America nods in 2018, Ogle was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team, the All-Big Ten First Team, the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team and was tabbed the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.
Ogle's career honors include: two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, three-time Academic All-Big Ten member, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and two-time MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree.