11. Cali Farquharson – F – Arizona State

Gets the award for “most valuable to her team” in 2015. Farquharson got hurt and ASU’s season went off a cliff, as the Sun Devils saw a season that began with Pac-12 title ambitions end with them out of the postseason. Limited to just fourteen matches this season by a hamstring injury, and considering she missed the postseason matches in 2014 through injury as well, there have to be some serious durability red flags here. When healthy, Farquharson can be a magician on the ball, capable of making opposing defenders look stupid with a combination of technical wizardry and athleticism. Efficiency numbers have been middling for most of her career, and this past season was no different, with nine non-penalty goals off of sixty shots to go with a 51.6% SOG mark. You sense she’s just beginning to tap into her potential as an attacker, but there’s still some serious risk given her injury history. Born in Japan, so she may have some international opportunities as well.

12. Megan Campbell – D (LB, CB) – Florida State

If Campbell commits to the NWSL, you can bump her up into the Top 5. The Seminoles defender is a dream prospect at the next level and will surely be in demand for many teams in many countries. Campbell had featured as a left-back in previous seasons for the Noles but moved to center-back this season to fill a need after Kristin Grubka’s graduation and fit in quite nicely. The Irish international has more than held her own in defending some of the most dangerous attacking talent in the college soccer ranks the past three seasons even as she’s missed time for international duty and through injury, which plagued her this past season. Of course, Campbell is perhaps best known for her rocket launcher like long throws, which have contributed to no shortage of assists in her career at multiple levels. A lot better in the air than you’d expect a former full-back to be. Versatility is a gigantic asset for potential suitors. It’s just a matter of what continent she chooses to continue her career on.



13. Rachel Daly – F (LF, CF), D (LB) – Saint John’s (NY)

English youth international was worth the wait for Saint John’s (NY), as after being forced to sit out 2012, Daly exploded onto the national scene with a stunning twenty-three goals as a sophomore to establish herself as one of the nation’s most dangerous scoring threats. It got considerably tougher as a junior though, as Daly netted just eight goals on eighty-five shots as the Red Storm underachieved. With 2015 very much a crossroads season for the Johnnies as well as Daly for her draft stock, the Brit carried her team on her back, netting nineteen goals as her side finally cashed in on some of its longstanding potential. Her efficiency numbers are still a mixed bag, though, as taking away penalties, Daly had sixteen goals on one hundred seventeen shots, or more than seven shots per goal. That may be an indicator that a move back to left-back may ultimately be in the cards for Daly, though she’ll definitely get a look in the attack somewhere. And that ‘somewhere’ is key, as it’s not certain Daly will stay in the U.S. If she does, she should come off the board in the first few rounds.

14. Jordan Coburn – D (CB) – Virginia Tech

Perhaps the best center-back you’ve never heard of. Coburn’s stock did slip a bit as a senior as the Hokies she anchored underachieved in comparison with their available talent, but even in a defender heavy class, it’s tough to see the center-back as anything but a player that should come off the boards by the end of the middle rounds. A defender in the typical crunching fashion now associated with Virginia Tech footy, Coburn has also shown an ability to create, racking up fourteen assists in her VT career, including seven this past season as a senior for the Hokies. An experienced an indefatigable presence at the heart of the Tech backline, Coburn’s an all-around contributor on defense and surely would have garnered more headlines had she played for a more fashionable club. There are bigger names out there, but don’t be surprised if Coburn ends up as one of this class’ best defenders in the long run.

15. Leah Galton – F (LF, CF) – Hofstra

Part of the recent British Invasion of DI WoSo, Galton has the potential to be this draft class’ small school attacking stud at the next level. Was always a player to watch after two incredibly productive seasons to begin her college career with the Pride but really busted out as a junior with seventeen goals on just sixty-eight shots and a 51.5% SOG ratio. That season may have been an outlier though, as Galton dipped back down to twelve goals and six assists as a senior, and her efficiency numbers plummeted back towards the rate she showed her first two seasons here, which weren’t terribly impressive. Eleven non-penalty goals on eighty-seven shots probably won’t get it done at the next level, and neither will a 44.9% SOG ratio. The good news is Galton is still raw and with upside, so there’s definitely room to grow, though the jump in competition level can’t be discounted in the NWSL. Has indicated she’s staying on these shores, and could be a solid developmental prospect early on for someone.

16. Erica Skroski – D (CB) – Rutgers

One of 2015’s breakout players, Skroski went from being just known as a competent center-back partner for Brianne Reed to being one of the nation’s very best central defenders as she helped lead the Scarlet Knights to the College Cup. Has shown amazing growth throughout her collegiate career and was named a second team All-American as well as being the Big Ten Defender of the Year helping to anchor a unit that was one of the nation’s best. Not a huge offensive threat but did make four of her five career goals match winners while adding three assists this past season after just having one the previous three years combined. Not big for a center-back at just 5’6”, so she might need to be partnered up with a bigger central defender to make things work in the air. Lots of center-backs available, so some team might be able to get a gem in the middle rounds.

17. Jannelle Flaws – F (CF) – Illinois

It has to be asked, would Flaws have been a higher draft pick had she come out after her her 2013 season? Then, Flaws had just netted twenty-three goals in a stunning campaign that was all the more shocking considering she had missed two seasons with injuries and had been a reserve in one other season. The bloom has definitely started to come off the rose since, as Flaws has seen her goals total dip in both seasons since. Her efficiency numbers in 2014 were mediocre, while they got no better this season, as discounting penalties, Flaws netted nine goals on eighty-five shots as a senior and put just 45.5% of her shots on goal, both alarming numbers. Struggling with plantar fasciitis throughout her senior season also brings up some serious durability red flags after her history of knee injuries. Dangerous if healthy but unlikely to be a star at this level.

18. Kinley McNicoll – D (LB), MF (LM, CM) – Wisconsin

Another in the “bad timing” department. McNicoll would probably be pushing for a spot in the middle rounds had she been a senior in 2014 when she looked like one of the most dynamic players in the country following a nine goal, nine assist campaign in spearheading the Badgers towards a fantastic season. It got the Canadian a run with the WNT in the Pan-American Games over the Summer, but while McNicol was still an integral part of UW’s push towards a Big Ten title this past season, she was largely overshadowed by Rose Lavelle and Victoria Pickett. Having played in midfield in college, McNicoll plays at left-back internationally and could find a home there in the pros as well thanks to her frequently brilliant service on set pieces and beyond. Not sure a club will use an international slot on her, but in any event, she should find a home abroad if she doesn’t make it in the NWSL.

19. Laura Liedle – D (RB) – Stanford

Call this an “eye of the beholder” type thing. If you read further down, you’ll realize just how dire the full-back situation is in this draft, meaning Liedle, a late round talent in many other years, could see her value soar in this draft that’s short on full-backs. A prep star who looked like potentially becoming one of the nation’s very best defenders after her strong freshman season instead has plateaued a bit through four seasons in college despite holding it down on a traditionally stingy Stanford defense. Liedle did notch four assists as a senior on the flank, doing so in some big games, but she’s hardly developed into the superstar some were expecting. Has been ridiculously durable during her career, having started every match the past three seasons. Unlikely to be a star but could stick as full-back depth somewhere.

20. Berglind Thorvaldsdottir – F (CF) – Florida State

Oh, the difference a year can make. After Thorvaldsdottir’s redshirt freshman season, expectations probably weren’t terribly high considering the Icelandic forward’s maddeningly inconsistent ways in front of goal. A season later, the Icelandic attacker’s stock rose through the roof after a great season firing home twelve goals for the Noles despite starting just a pair of matches. Perhaps more importantly, her usage numbers were good, with a dazzling 3.66 shots per goal number being the highlight. Thorvaldsdottir again played the super sub role with eight goals in just nine hundred sixteen minutes and thirty-six shots, though her shots on goal % dipped noticeably. A poacher’s poacher in front of goal, the Icelandic forward can also use a burst to make things happen with the ball from a little further out. Can she be a ninety minute player though after her super sub existence at FSU? Technically has one more year of eligibility, but appears to be done in Tallahassee and could command some real coin abroad.