BALTIMORE – Arizona State soccer players Cali Farquharson and McKenzie Berryhill were both selected in Friday’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft held at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Baltimore
Farquharson, who earned NSCAA All-Region honors three times and All-Pac-12 honors three times, was selected by the Washington Spirit in the second round with the 12th overall pick. Farquharson led the Pac-12 in both goals per game (0.71) and points per game (1.71) in 2015 while also pacing the Sun Devils in goals (10) and points (24) for the fourth consecutive year. Farquharson scored five goals in ASU’s last four games of 2015, including the third hat-trick of her career in ASU’s win over Arizona. With 10 goals in 2015 Farquharson became the first player in program history to record double-digit goal totals four straight years. She concluded her Sun Devil career No. 2 all time in goals (44) and points (102) and finished tied for second in game-winning goals (13).
Berryhill, who was twice named NSCAA All-Region and All-Pac-12, was selected by the Portland Thorns in the third round with the 21st overall pick. During her career, Berryhill established herself as one of the nation’s top defenders. In 2014 Berryhill’s play was a big factor in the Sun Devils posting their lowest GAA (1.07) since 2007. In 2015 Berryhill had the best season of her career on the offensive end where she posted single-season career bests in goals (3), assists (3) and points (9). She concluded her Sun Devil career in outstanding fashion as she recorded the game-winning goal in ASU's last two games of the season – at Colorado (Nov. 1) and at Arizona (Nov. 6).
Both Farquharson and Berryhill played a major role in the Sun Devils’ success over the last four seasons, which includes a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2013, the Sun Devils came up with the biggest regular season win in program history when they defeated second-ranked Stanford 1-0 and ended the Cardinal’s 73-game unbeaten streak in home games and its 44-game win streak in conference games.
The NWSL is a ten-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association, Federation of Mexican Football and the United States Soccer Federation.