The San Diego Wave has swept up several NWSL season awards in their first year.
Wave defender Naomi Girma won the 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year titles, becoming the first rookie in league history to win two individual season awards. Teammate Kailen Sheridan was named Goalkeeper of the Year as well, while manager Casey Stoney won Coach of the Year.
Additionally, Girma, Sheridan and Golden Boot winner Alex Morgan were all named to the NWSL’s Best XI.
It was a revolutionary inaugural season for the club, concluding their first NWSL campaign in third place with 36 points in 22 games to qualify for the playoffs. They defeated the Chicago Red Stars in the first round, before losing to the Portland Thorns in the semifinal at Providence Park.
“My overriding emotion is huge pride in the team, the players, the club, and what we’ve been able to do in a short space of time,” head coach Casey Stoney said after the semifinal loss. “Now we need to use this feeling to fuel us to get better.”
“I think we’re just getting started,” added midfielder Taylor Kornieck after the match. “I, with all my heart, wish we could have gone to that final. I can’t wait for February when we get back out there because we have something so special here and I’m so fortunate to be a part of it.”
The San Diego Wave now heads into the offseason to prepare for the NWSL draft and upcoming 2023 campaign.
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