March 8, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit has signed six first-year players to its active roster, the club announced today. Draft picks including goalkeeper Lyza Bosselmann, midfielders Nicole Douglas and Riley Tanner and forwards Civana Kuhlmann and Lena Silano all signed with the club to officially begin their respective NWSL careers. Midfielder Paige Metayer has also signed a contract to join the Spirit. All six players have been training with the club during preseason camp since January. Spirit 2023 draft pick Delaney Graham has not yet reported to preseason camp as she continues to rehab from knee surgery.
“We are fortunate to have a dynamic mix of experienced players and young talent,” stated Head Coach Mark Parsons. “These six signings bring quality and hunger in many key positions and add important depth to our group. Each player has demonstrated the attacking mindset fans can expect to see from the Spirit this season.”
Full details of each first-year player’s contract can be found below:
M Nicole Douglas: two-year contract
Douglas, the 2022 Pac-12 Forward of the Year, played five seasons at Arizona State and tallied 60 goals and 21 assists in 89 total appearances. In 2021, Douglas led the country in scoring with 19 goals in 20 matches. Douglas was a First Team All-Pac-12 player in each of her final two seasons with the Sun Devils as well as a Second Team All-American in 2022 and Third Team All-American in 2021. The Spirit’s first draft pick in 2023, Douglas was selected with the 26th overall pick.
GK Lyza Bosselmann: two-year contract, option for 2025
In four seasons at Gonzaga, Bosselmann appeared in 62 matches and maintained a goals against average (GAA) of 0.87. Bosselmann also made 182 saves in her collegiate career, stopping almost 80 percent of shots on target. In her senior season, Bosselmann posted her career best GAA (0.72) en route to earning West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Bosselmann was the third goalkeeper selected in the 2023 draft, going 28th overall to the Spirit.
M Riley Tanner: two-year contract, option for 2025
Across two seasons at Alabama, Tanner tallied eight goals and 11 assists across 45 appearances. In her final season, Tanner earned Second Team All-SEC honors. Prior to her tenure with the Crimson Tide, Tanner played three seasons at South Carolina. Tanner was taken by the Spirit with the 30th overall pick in the…