January 11, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – OL Reign has acquired forward Elyse Bennett and the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft from the Kansas City Current, the club announced today. In exchange, OL Reign has traded $150,000 in allocation money to the Current.
23-year-old Bennett was selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft by Kansas City with the seventh overall pick. During her rookie season with the Current, she appeared in 21 regular season games, tied for the second most on the team, and earned six starts. In addition, the forward appeared in all three of Kansas City’s playoff games.
“We’re really excited to have Elyse joining the team,” said OL Reign general manager Nick Perera. “We believe she’s a player that has a unique skillset and after an impressive rookie season, we look forward to watching her develop even further.”
Dynamic and tenacious, the rookie scored three goals and notched two assists in the regular season, with two additional assists in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. Bennett recorded a goal and an assist in her second regular-season appearance when she came on as a substitute with 29 minutes left to play, making her one of 27 players to record a goal and an assist in the same game in 2022 and just one of three players from Kansas City to accomplish this feat.
Prior to her NWSL career, Bennett played at Washington State University. During her time as a Cougar, she played 93 games (second most all-time of the program) and provided her team with 26 goals and 12 assists. She ended her fifth year with a career-best 10 goals and was named a Second Team All-American, First Team All-Region and All-Pac-12.
“Elyse is a great addition up top. Through her rookie season, she proved that she is a force to be reckoned with and that she is willing to put in the work. I know she will make a great impact on our squad,” said head coach Laura Harvey.
OL Reign now holds three picks in the 2023 NWSL Draft, including the 23rd, 32nd and 46th overall picks.
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