San Diego Wave FC select Naomi Girma with No. 1 pick of college draft

With the very first pick of the 2022 NWSL College Draft, San Diego Wave FC selected Naomi Girma from Stanford University.

With the first overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft presented by @Ally:@sandiegowavefc selects Naomi Girma of @StanfordWSoccer ✅ pic.twitter.com/2sxWKwy1yK

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) December 18, 2021

Sources previously told Just Women’s Sports that San Diego planned to take Jaelin Howell of Florida State, however, multiple reports from the morning of the draft indicated it would instead be Girma with the first pick.

A member of the 2019 National champion squad at Stanford, Girma is a two-time Pac-12 Defender of the Year. Throughout her college career, Girma played in 68 games — starting in 67 of them. With eight goals and five assists throughout her career, Girma also has the potential to be a factor offensively. She also brings leadership experience, having been a three-time captain at Stanford and serving as captain of the U20 national team.

She’ll get to learn under USWNT vet Abby Dahlkemper, who was the first player to sign on with San Diego.