LONG BEACH, Calif. – Texas A&M standout Kenna Caldwell earned recognition from Top Drawer Soccer as the top goalkeeping prospect for the 2024 National Women's Soccer League Draft.
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The NWSL Draft is slated for Friday, Jan. 12 in Anaheim, California. The four-round draft will total 56 selections among the 14 teams.
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Caldwell's name topped a list of elite netminders which included 2023 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year Heather Hinz from South Carolina as well as Power 5 performers Alia Skinner (Virginia Tech), Madison White (Texas Tech), Hailey Coll (Oregon State) and Cayla White (Virginia).
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Owning 72 career caps as an Aggie, Caldwell burst on the scene as keeper during the elongated 2020-21 season as she played 12 matches for an A&M squad that earned the SEC regular-season title and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That season she posted a 0.892 goals-against average along with seven shutouts and an 8-3-1 record. Most recently, she posted a 0.99 goals-against average with seven shutouts as a fifth-year senior in 2023.
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Caldwell's career numbers include a 1.10 goals-against average with a 34-25-12 record, 231 saves and 20 shutouts.
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Texas A&M has two players in the draft pool with Caldwell joined by forward/midfielder Sammy Smith. Smith ranked third on the squad with 13 points on three goals and a team-high seven assists in her lone season in Aggieland.
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The duo looks to join five players who graced NWSL rosters for the 2023 campaign. Barbara Olivieri was the most recent Aggie to make a roster, debuting with the Houston Dash last April. She joined Shea Groom (Dash), Merritt Mathias (Angel City FC), Addie McCain (Chicago Red Stars) and Ally Watt (Orland Pride).
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The Maroon & White wrapped up the 30th winning season in 31 years of the program. The Aggies posted a 10-8-4 record, playing in their 28th NCAA Tournament in the last 29 years and advancing to the second round for the 24th time in the last 26 years – a mark only eclipsed by North Carolina.
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The NWSL Draft is slated for Friday, Jan. 12 in Anaheim, California. The four-round draft will total 56 selections among the 14 teams.
Â
Caldwell's name topped a list of elite netminders which included 2023 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year Heather Hinz from South Carolina as well as Power 5 performers Alia Skinner (Virginia Tech), Madison White (Texas Tech), Hailey Coll (Oregon State) and Cayla White (Virginia).
Â
Owning 72 career caps as an Aggie, Caldwell burst on the scene as keeper during the elongated 2020-21 season as she played 12 matches for an A&M squad that earned the SEC regular-season title and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That season she posted a 0.892 goals-against average along with seven shutouts and an 8-3-1 record. Most recently, she posted a 0.99 goals-against average with seven shutouts as a fifth-year senior in 2023.
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Caldwell's career numbers include a 1.10 goals-against average with a 34-25-12 record, 231 saves and 20 shutouts.
Â
Texas A&M has two players in the draft pool with Caldwell joined by forward/midfielder Sammy Smith. Smith ranked third on the squad with 13 points on three goals and a team-high seven assists in her lone season in Aggieland.
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The duo looks to join five players who graced NWSL rosters for the 2023 campaign. Barbara Olivieri was the most recent Aggie to make a roster, debuting with the Houston Dash last April. She joined Shea Groom (Dash), Merritt Mathias (Angel City FC), Addie McCain (Chicago Red Stars) and Ally Watt (Orland Pride).
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The Maroon & White wrapped up the 30th winning season in 31 years of the program. The Aggies posted a 10-8-4 record, playing in their 28th NCAA Tournament in the last 29 years and advancing to the second round for the 24th time in the last 26 years – a mark only eclipsed by North Carolina.