WILMINGTON, North Carolina – After hearing former UNCW goalkeeper
Sydney Schneider's name called in last January's National Women's Soccer League Draft, UNCW fifth-year senior forward
Audrey Harding was hoping to enjoy the same excitement during the league's proceedings on Saturday afternoon.
Harding got her wish as the Seahawks' leading scorer was taken with the final pick of the third round (No. 38 overall) by the defending NWSL champion Washington Spirit, joining her former teammate as the only student-athletes in program history to be selected in the league's annual college draft.
"I have dreamed about this for as long as I have been playing soccer," Harding said. "I didn't know I was going to be drafted, so when my name was called, I started crying because I knew my dream had come true. I am so excited to be joining the Washington Spirit and do what I can to help them in the years to come."
"Sydney and I talked about [the possibility of becoming teammates at the pro level] in the past, so it will be nice to have a familiar face on the team. It's going to be so much fun playing with her again."
An Akron, Ohio, native, Harding tallied six of her team-high eight goals against Colonial Athletic Association opponents, including a two-goal effort in UNCW's 2-1 victory over Elon in the league opener on Sept. 26.
The First-Team All-CAA and All-East Region performer capped the regular season with four goals in her final six games, including a one-goal, two-assist performance at James Madison on Oct. 17.
One of three players in school history with 20 goals and 20 assists in her career, Harding stands seventh in program history with 66 points behind 23 goals and a record-tying 20 assists. She also became the first player in program history to earn United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America when she received Second-Team recognition earlier this week.
A three-time All-CAA selection, Harding notched a spot on the league's top team for the second straight year after netting eight goals with seven assists. The three-time CAA Offensive Player of the Week honoree finished the season as the league's fifth-leading scorer with 23 points.
"This selection is so deserved and a dream come true for Audrey," UNCW Coach
Chris Neal said. "She worked extremely hard to grow her game while at UNCW. The Washington Spirit are getting a great young woman and a big-time athlete with tremendous attacking prowess.
"I believe Audrey's best playing days are still in front of her and I am excited to see how she develops within the championship culture of the Washington Spirit."
Harding was one of three Colonial Athletic Association players to be selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft festivities as Hofstra's
Lucy Shepherd and
Miri Taylor went with the No. 23 and 39 selections, respectively.
