Kuhlmann Drafted by the Washington Spirit

PHILADELPHIA — Civana Kuhlmann made the most of her only season as a Colorado Buffalo and it paid off with her name getting called at Thursday's NWSL Draft. Kuhlmann was selected in the fourth round with the 37th pick overall by the Washington Spirit.

Kuhlmann became the sixth Buffalo player to be drafted in the NWSL and the fifth in the past seven seasons.

"We couldn't be more excited for Civana," Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez said after the selection. "Washington made a great selection. When Civana arrived in Boulder you could see she had all the talent to be a professional. To play at the highest levels, you have to have a level of competitiveness and mental toughness. That really came out in her one year in Boulder. We know that she's really going to excel in the NWSL."

Kuhlmann, a Centennial, Colo., native, used her fifth year of eligibility in her return to Colorado. She started 19 games for Colorado in her lone season, setting career-highs in points (30), goals (12) and assists (6). Kuhlmann led the team in all three categories and totaled two game-winning goals. Her 12 goals tied for the second-most in a season by a Buff, alongside Taylor Kornieck (2019), Jorian Baucom (2018), and Katie Griffin (2005).

"Being in a new environment for my final year of college was such a valuable experience," Kuhlmann said in a post-draft interview. "I took on a different role which I believe gave me valuable leadership experience. Having to navigate a different team with a different culture – every team is different and I believe that I was able to learn so much from that experience."

Kuhlmann's 30 points finished second in the Pac-12 and ranked 22nd in the NCAA. She tied Kornieck (2019) and Baucom (2018) for the second most points in a season in program history.

She was also a First Team All-Pac-12 and First Team All-Pacific Region selection to go along with being a Third Team Academic All-American.

Kuhlmann began her collegiate career at Stanford in 2017, totaling nine goals and four assists in her rookie season. Kuhlmann scored 20 goals in her three seasons at Stanford. She was forced to miss all of the 2019 season due to injury. While at Stanford the Cardinal won two national championships and three Pac-12 championships.

Kuhlmann was a 2017 All-Pac-12 Freshman selection and landed on the 2020 MAC Herman Trophy Watch List. She finished the 2020 season as a Third Team All-Conference honoree. She was also a member of the USWNT U-20 team.

She joins Kornieck, Erin Greening, Becca Rasmussen, Amy Barczuk and Danica Evans as former Buffs to be drafted in the NWSL, which began its draft in 2013. Kornieck was the last Buff selected, going No. 3 overall to the Orlando Pride in the 2020 draft. Barczuk (14th, Western New York Flash in 2013), Rasmussen (20th, North Carolina Courage in 2018), Evans (22nd, Orlando in 2017) and Greening (25th, Orlando in 2019) make up CU's all-time draft selections.

That group joins five other former CU standouts that have been in the NWSL. Michelle (Wenino) Lomnicki, who was recently promoted to General Manager of the Chicago Red Stars, played the first three seasons of the league's existence with Chicago To wrap up a seven-year professional career. Current CU volunteer assistant 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.

Players Mentioned

Civana Kuhlmann

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