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Writer's pictureMichaela Alfano

Rookie Profiles: San Diego Wave

Meet the 2022 San Diego Wave draft picks and rookies they picked up in off season trades



Naomi Girma -

Girma in a white number 2 Stanford Jersey wearing the captain armband with the ball at her feet
Photo Credit: Stanford Athletics

Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Defender


Hometown: San Jose, California


College: Stanford


College Number: 2


College Major: Symbolic Systems / Management Science & Engineering


College Awards: NCAA Champion (2019), Two-time Pac-12 Champion (2018-19), Three-time team captain (2019-21), Two-time United Soccer Coaches All-America first team (2019, 2021), Two-time Pac-12 Defender of the Year (2019, 2021), Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2021), U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year (2020), MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist (2019, 2021), College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2019)


Draft Pick: First Overall


Pro Contract: Signed by the club


Quote: “She has a very bright future as a player with her outstanding technical ability and game understanding,” San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney said. “Her character, leadership, and professionalism will mean her transition into the professional game will be seamless.”





Marleen Schimmer -

Schimmer wearing white GCU jersey with her purple 27 looking at the ball
Photo Credits: Grand Canyon University Athletics

Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Mainz, Germany


College: Grand Canyon University


College Number: 27


College Major: Psychology


College Awards: Transferred from Arizona State to GCU where she Appeared in 17 games with 15 starts. Scored four goals and four assists en route to earning First Team All-WAC honors. Became the fourth transfer to earn All-WAC honors in their first season as a Lope and the first player to make the first team and scored first GCU goal with a game-winning penalty kick against Utah Valley on Feb. 20.


Draft Pick: First round, Pick #9


Pro Contract: Signed by the club





Sydney Pulver -

Pulver in red, running in her number 9 jersey with the ball at her feet. Opposition in white is running at her
Photo Credit: Washington State University Athletics

Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Parker, Colorado


College: Washington State University


College Number: 9


College Major: Business


College Awards: Holds the all-time record for matches played for the program with 87 matches played in her collegiate career. Won Pac-12 athlete of the week for Women’s Soccer with her play and defensive efforts in the midfield.


Draft Pick: Round 2, Pick No.25


Pro Contract: In preseason but not yet signed






Belle Briede -

Belle Briede in white stanford 4 jersey, running with the ball at her feet
Photo Credit: Stanford University Athletics

Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia


College: Stanford University


College Number: 4


College Major: Human Biology


College Awards: Two-time NCAA Champion (2017, 2019), Three-time Pac-12 Champion (2017-19), Three College Cup appearance (2017-19), and 2020-21 All Pac-12 Third Team


Draft Pick: Round 3, Pick No. 27


Pro Contract: In preseason but not yet signed






Kayla Bruster -

Kayla standing in red Georgia 25 Jersey with ball under her arm
Photo Credits: University of Georgia Athletics

Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Defender


Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

College: University of Georgia


College Number: 25



College Major: unknown


College Awards: 2019 First Team All-SEC, 2020 Second Team All-SEC, 2020-21 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team, Two-time SEC Preseason Watch List Selection (2020, 2021), Three-time SEC Honor Roll Selection


Draft Pick: Round 4, Pick No. 40


Pro Contract: In preseason but not yet signed






Kelsey Turnbow -

Turnbow celebrating in red 10 jersey with arms up in the air
Photo Credits: Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images


Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Forward


Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona


College: Santa Clara University


College Number: 10


College Major: Unknown


College Awards: College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player, First Team All-West Region, First Team All-WCC, tied for sixth all-time at Santa Clara with 45 goal


Draft Pick: 18th overall by Chicago Red Stars in 2021 and traded to San Diego for expansion protection


Pro Contract: Signed by the club


Quote: “We hope Kelsey’s achievements at a top NCAA women’s soccer program such as Santa Clara translates to a promising professional career with us.” said Wave FC President Jill Ellis.







Ali in white Rutgers 17 jersey running on the field
Photo Credits: Rutgers University Athletics

Amirah Ali -


Team: San Diego Wave FC


Position: Forward


Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey


College: Rutgers University


College Number: 17


College Major: Criminal Justice


College Awards: 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, 2018 All-Big Ten First Team, MAC Hermann Trophy Candidate, 2019 All-American First Team, 2020-2021 All-American First Team, 2020-21 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, Team Captain, Started all 21 matches as a Freshman


Draft Pick: 22 overall by Portland Thorns, Traded to San Diego for expansion protection


Pro Contract: In preseason but not yet signed



As preseason starts keep an eye out for these rookies who has stellar college careers with even more potential to excel in the NWSL.














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