2017 NWSL Draft Rankings: Nos. 31-40

by Travis Clark

January 9, 2017

The fifth edition of the National Women's Soccer League College draft is set for late this week at the NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles.

In the run up to the draft, TopDrawerSoccer.com is releasing its Top 40 of the best players that have declared for the draft.

MORE: Nos. 21-30 | Nos. 11-20 | Nos. 1-10

Below starts off with No. 31-40.

31. Serina Kashimoto – M – Butler

Stats: 82 games, 18 goals, 18 assists

There are plenty of strikes against Kashimoto heading into the draft: she’d take up an international spot, she’s coming from a mid-major program and there are surely questions about her size and athleticism. All that is a shame however, as Kashimoto is one of college soccer’s most underrated players. Even though her season ended with an injury, her technical ability and passing are superb; in the 2016 season she added goals to her resume, tallying nine from the midfield. A team that takes a flier on her could end up being pleasantly surprised.

32. Josee Stiever – M – Minnesota

Stats: 86 games, 21 goals, 20 assists

A hard-working midfielder, Stiever’s another pro candidate that pushed her stock higher with a strong senior campaign. The Gophers overall enjoyed a quality campaign, with Stiever’s work in the midfield helping to open things up. A likely candidate to fit in as a box-to-box midfielder, she has the drive and desire to add something in the later rounds of the draft.

33. Emma Fletcher – M/F – California

Stats: 81 games, 3 goals, 21 assists

Fletcher, a Canadian and New Zealand dual international transferred from LSU to California after her sophomore season. It was a move that’s helped propel her up draft boards, as she improved her passing in Cal’s possession system. If she can continue to develop, the Canadian youth international is poised to be a late round sleeper, though she could potentially seek a move overseas as well.

34. Claire Wagner – D – Clemson

Stats: 72 games, 11 goals, 7 assists

A big piece of a senior spine that led to Clemson’s ascension, Wagner is a very good college player that has anchored the Tigers for the past four years. Good in the air and a threat off set pieces, she has the makeup to be successful. Doubts about her ability to keep up with the pace of play will follow her as she looks to earn a spot somewhere.

35. Valerie Sanderson – M/F – Memphis

Stats: 79 games, 52 goals, 18 assists

Another Canadian youth international looking to force her way into the draft conversation, Sanderson is one of the more underrated players in the pool. A veteran of U17 and U20 World Cups, her goal-scoring record is impressive on the collegiate level. She’s shown the ability to both score goals and create them, and can potentially play in the wide areas and through the middle. Whether or not a team believes that she can do that considering her Canadian roster status could dictate when or if she comes off the board.

36. Marina Paul – D – Georgetown

Stats: 86 games, 12 goal, 10 assists

If not for her injury history, Paul would be much higher on the list. The fact that she tore her ACL twice in 10 months is the concern with her, and could keep her from getting picked in the draft. If healthy, the 5-foot-10 center back is a menace in the air, scoring four times during Georgetown’s run to the 2016 College Cup. She can compete athletically against quality attackers, and her size is a threat on set pieces.

37. Tabby Tindell – F – Florida Gulf Coast(w)

Stats: 79 games, 66 goals, 30 assists

No matter the opposition, Tindell’s impressive college record is something to at least earn her an invite into a team’s mini-camp, if not get a look at the next level. Obviously, whether she can come close to replicating that strike rate outside of the Florida Gulf Coast system and against better defenders, will determine if she’s able to make it work in the NWSL.

38. Tyler Lussi – F – Princeton

Stats: 68 games, 53 goals, 16 assists

Despite a drop-off in 2016, Lussi’s scoring record approaches a goal-per-game in the Ivy League. Whether or not she can do enough with the fewer chances and against better defenders is likely to dictate how long she can stick around. She can finish in a variety ways, whether close to goal, from distance, and she makes smart runs in the final third.

39. Sarah Teegarden – M – Wake Forest

Stats: 75 games, 9 goals, 5 assists

The reliable central midfielder is an under-the-radar prospect thanks in large part due to Wake’s struggles in the ever-competitive ACC. A deep-lying midfielder with a decent passing range, Teegarden’s got the tool set to succeed provided that she can keep up with the pace of play in central midfield and cover enough ground in the NWSL.

40. Hannah Wilkinson – F – Tennessee

Stats: 68 games, 33 goals, 19 assists

Past knee injuries push Wilkinson down the board, and she potentially may not end up going in the draft due to her international status. However, the New Zealand international did finish strong in her final season at Tennessee, and has the physicality to hang with NWSL defenders. A good nose for goal and a presence in the penalty area, she has potential on a team willing to roll the dice on her injury history.