The Chicago Red Stars made UCLA forward Zakiya Bywaters the somewhat surprising first pick in the inaugural NWSL College Draft on Friday. Most pundits had projected Boston College midfielder Kristie Mewis to be the most likely player to be picked No. 1, but she fell to FC Kansas City at No. 3. Christine Nairn, another player high on most draft boards, ending up going No. 7 to the Seattle Reign.
NWSL College Draft, results: Red Stars pick Zakiya Bywaters No. 1
UCLA forward is the somewhat surprising first pick in the inaugural NWSL College Draft.
Bywaters, who has played for the United States U-23 team, scored 15 goals for UCLA last season as was the Pac-12 Player of the Year.
2013 NWSL Draft Selections
Listed per round with name, position, college and team
First Round
1. Zakiya Bywaters, F (UCLA) - Chicago Red Stars
2. Tiffany McCarty, F (Florida State) - Washington Spirit
3. Kristie Mewis, M (Boston College) - FC Kansas City
4. Lindsi Lisonsbee-Cutshall, D (BYU) - Sky Blue FC
5. Casey Short, M/D (Florida State) - Boston Breakers
6. Adrianna Franch, GK (Oklahoma State) - Western New York Flash
7. Christine Nairn, M (Penn State) - Seattle Reign FC
8. Kathryn Williamson, D (Florida) - Portland Thorns FC
Second Round
9. Rachel Quon, D (Stanford) - Chicago Red Stars
10. Caroline Miller, F (Virginia) - Washington Spirit
11. Erika Tymrak, M/F (Florida) - FC Kansas City
12. Kendall Johnson, D/M (Portland) - Sky Blue FC
13. Mariah Nogueira, M (Stanford) - Boston Breakers
14. Amy Barczuk, M (Colorado) - Western New York Flash
15. Mallory Schaffer, M (William & Mary) - Seattle Reign FC
16. Nicolette Radovic, F (Central Florida) - Portland Thorns FC
Third Round
17. Taylor Vancil, GK (Florida State) - Chicago Red Stars
18. Holly King, M (Florida) - Washington Spirit
19. Whitney Berry, M/F (Kansas) - FC Kansas City
20. Ashley Baker, GK (Georgia) - Sky Blue FC
21. Jo Dragotta, M (Florida) - Boston Breakers
22. Vicki DiMartino, F (Boston College) - Western New York Flash
23. Kristen Meier, M (Wake Forest) - Seattle Reign FC
24. Amber Brooks, M (North Carolina) - Portland Thorns FC
Fourth Round
25. Jen Hoy, F (Princeton) - Chicago Red Stars
26. Colleen Williams, M (Dayton) - Washington Spirit
27. Nia Williams, D (Missouri State) - FC Kansas City
28. Becky Kaplan, F (Maryland) - Sky Blue FC
29. Maddy Evans, M (Penn State) - Boston Breakers
30. Jackie Logue, D (Wake Forest) - Western New York Flash
31. Haley Kopmeyer, GK (Michigan) - Seattle Reign FC
32. Roxanne Barker, GK (Pepperdine) - Portland Thorns FC
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