Dash coach Randy Waldrum ‘on cloud nine’ with NWSL draft results

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Randy Waldrum knows all about what it is like for the Dash to be positioned at the top of the draft order. In recent years he has landed big names like Kealia Ohai, Rachel Daly and Janine Beckie in the first round.

On Thursday, however, the Dash did not have any picks in the NWSL College Draft until the middle of round two. Waldrum was prepared but could not account for what it was like to play the waiting game.

It turns out that the questions he had when the day began had overwhelmingly positive answers.

The Dash landed the NCAA's top goalkeeper and later traded up to pick a Canadian allocated player to help the attack. Putting an exclamation point on it, they drafted versatile defender Erin Smith out of Rutgers in the fourth round despite the fact they would have been willing to take her in the third.

"It was a much better draft than I ever could have anticipated," Waldrum said. "Even (in the second round) sometimes there may not be that player there you really want. I am on cloud nine about the way the picks worked out, especially not knowing what players were going to be free."

The Dash seemed to be set at goalkeeper for 2017 with returning starter Lydia Williams and back-up Bianca Henninger both under contract. That did not prevent Waldrum from picking Stanford's Jane Campbell at No. 15 overall.

Carrying three goalkeepers on a 20-player roster may seem extraneous, but Waldrum said he is not opposed to it, especially since Campbell was too good to pass up.

Jane Campbell, Stanford Cardinals goalkeeper, kicks the ball as the Stanford Cardinal play the California Golden Bears on Friday, November 4, 2016 in Berkeley, Calif. Jane Campbell, Stanford Cardinals goalkeeper, kicks the ball as the Stanford Cardinal play the California Golden Bears on Friday, November 4, 2016 in Berkeley, Calif. Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Dash coach Randy Waldrum ‘on cloud nine’ with NWSL draft results 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Campbell was the 2015 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-America second team status in 2016. She was called into United States Women's National Team camp in October. She has played with the USA's U-23 team and was on 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup team.

Waldrum said he expected Campbell to be picked earlier, especially considering needs of other teams.

"We didn't go into the draft saying we needed a goalkeeper, but I don't think I've ever seen a keeper of that caliber be available with that pick," Waldrum said. "She is a special talent and we couldn't let her pass."

Waldrum said the Dash also could not pass when presented with a trade opportunity in the third round. The Chicago Red Stars for the second time that round initiated contact with the Dash about trading away the No. 28 overall pick.

Knowing there were five or six players he liked who still were available, Waldrum signed off on giving up the Dash's 2018 second-round pick.

The Dash responded by picking Canadian forward Nichelle Prince, who had 27 goals and 20 assists in 72 appearances over four seasons at Ohio State. Prince will be a Canadian allocated player, meaning the Dash will not have to pay her salary. As a result she is guaranteed to be on the roster.

Prince is likely to make a serious run at getting playing time from the start but will be extra useful when Rachel Daly joins England for the European Championships.

"It was a steal," Waldrum said. "Prince brings us something we don't have. She is a pacey player, but she is a more physical player. She'll do more damage in the 18."

The Dash now have 23 players on the roster and must cut down to 20 before the season begins in the spring.