Greening Selected in NWSL Draft

CHICAGO—Colorado soccer's Erin Greening will begin her professional career after four stellar seasons in Boulder. Greening was selected in the third round and 25th overall by the Orlando Pride in Thursday's NWSL Draft. She is the fourth CU player to be drafted in the NWSL and the third in the past three seasons.

She will join former Buffalo Danica Evans, who was drafted by the Pride in 2017.

Greening, a defender from Piedmont, Calif., started all 12 matches she appeared in this season. She recorded three assists in 911 minutes, missing eight matches to injury. Greening was a major part of CU's backline that recorded eight shutouts on the season.

"Erin had a fantastic senior season," Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez commented. "She battled through injury and came back and really showed her quality. She has a skill set that allows her to compete at the highest level. We are excited that she has this opportunity in Orlando. We know she will take full advantage of this opportunity when she gets to camp in March."

A three-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, Greening began her career at CU as a forward. She netted two goals in her first season, totaling eight shots on goal in 18 matches. She transitioned to outside back as a sophomore, helping solidify the Buffs' defensive unit.

Greening was a key member of Colorado's to back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams in 2016 and 2017. Her efforts helped the Buffs set school records in shutouts (14) and goals-against average (0.61) in 2017.

Greening joins Becca Rasmussen, Amy Barczuk and Evans as former Buffs to be drafted in the NWSL, which began its draft in 2013. Barczuk was selected 14th overall by the Western New York Flash in 2013. Evans was the 22nd overall selection in the 2017 draft by the Orlando Pride. Rasmussen was the 20th selection by the North Carolina Courage last season.

That group joins five other former CU standouts that have been in the NWSL. Michelle (Wenino) Lomnicki played the first three seasons of the league's existence with the Chicago Red Stars to wrap up a seven-year professional career. Nikki Marshall played two seasons with Portland Thorns FC in 2013 and 2014, finishing a five-year professional playing career before an injury led her to retire at the end of the 2014 season. Annie Brunner, Kate Scheele and Kate Russell have all also been on NWSL rosters.

Greening was one of eight players from the Pac-12 selected on Thursday. Stanford's Tierna Davidson was selected first overall by the Chicago Red Stars.

Players Mentioned

Danica Evans

Erin Greening

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