Houston Dash select five players at 2024 NWSL Draft
The Houston Dash selected five players at Friday night’s NWSL Draft. Houston did not have a first round pick but managed to make some moves and add players who could contribute to the club this season.
“It went amazingly well. We came out of this draft with a solid group of players,” Dash General Manager Alex Singer said. “I am really thankful for the coaching staff and the preparation they did for this draft because it set us up for success today.”
Houston’s first selection was midfielder/forward Avery Patterson from the North Carolina with the 19th overall pick. Patterson made 72 appearances for the Tar Heels in her career and scored 27 goals and added 23 assists. She scored two goals in the 2022 College Cup Final and has represented the United States internationally at the U14 to U23 levels.
Kiki Van Zanten at Notre Dame
The Dash then traded $120,000 in allocation money to Utah Royals FC to acquire the 21st overall pick. With that pick, Houston took midfielder Kiki Van Zanten from Notre Dame. Van Zanten scored 27 goals with 9 assists in 95 appearances for the Fighting Irish. The Jamaica international played in the 2023 World Cup and in 2022, scored the winning goal in the Concacaf Women’s Championship to send the Reggae Girlz to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Amanda West at Pittsburgh
In the third round, with the 36th overall pick, Houston picked forward Amanda West from Pittsburgh. West is the first player ever drafted in the NWSL from Pitt. She is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 50 goals in 75 appearances. The Canadian also tallied 31 assists and leaves Pitt also holding program records in points (85), points per game (1.89), and game-winning goals (13).
Heather Hinz at South Carolina)
The Dash then moved up two spots from 40 overall to 38, sending $10,000 in allocation to the North Carolina Courage. With that pick, Houston grabbed goalkeeper Heather Hinz from South Carolina. The 2023 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year finished with 32 shutouts and made 255 saves in 61 career appearances for the Gamecocks. Hinz is the third player selected by the Dash from South Carolina in the last three drafts, joining Ryan Gareis (2022) and Jyllissa Harris (2023).
Alyssa Bourgeois at Santa Clara
With their final pick of the night, Houston selected defender Alyssa Bourgeois from Santa Clara. Bourgeois made 51 appearances for the Broncos, scoring a goal to go along with six assists.
With a number of players leaving the Dash this offseason, these five players should have a good shot to come into camp and compete for roster spots and playing time. Analyst Chris Henderson was very impressed with the Dash’s draft.
We’ll now see how the picks can translate to the professional game and join the rest of the roster in learning new coach Fran Alonso’s system as the 2024 season approaches.
