Jenna Nighswonger

Jenna Gray Nighswonger (born November 28, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Jenna Nighswonger
Nighswonger with Gotham (and Malia Berkely) in 2023
Personal information
Full name Jenna Gray Nighswonger[1]
Date of birth (2000-11-28) November 28, 2000[2]
Place of birth Huntington Beach, California, United States
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Number 32
Youth career
2015–2018 Slammers FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 Florida State Seminoles 86 (19)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 LA Galaxy OC
2023– NJ/NY Gotham FC 11 (2)
International career
2016 United States U16
2017–2018 United States U19 4 (1)
2019–2020 United States U20 9 (1)
2019–2022 United States U23 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 25, 2023

Early life

Nighswonger played youth soccer for Slammers FC, winning a U14 ECNL National Championship.[3] She also participated in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.[4]

Nighswonger graduated from Huntington Beach High School in December 2018.[5] She played soccer for the school until her junior year, when she instead opted to play for a United States Soccer Development Academy club.[6]

College career

In May 2017, Nighswonger committed to play college soccer at Florida State.[7] In 2019, she played for United Women's Soccer club LA Galaxy OC[8][9] and played in the league's national championship, which LA Galaxy OC won in a 1–0 victory over Calgary Foothills WFC.[10]

She played at Florida State from 2019 to 2022.[11] Nighswonger made her Florida State debut on August 22, 2019 against TCU.[12] She scored her first collegiate goal on September 1, 2019 against USC.[13] She recorded her first brace on September 12, 2019 against Colorado.[14]

The Seminoles reached the finals of the 2020 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament, drawing in regulation against Santa Clara University 1–1 on Nighswonger's 63rd-minute goal before losing in a penalty shoot-out,[15][16] and won the 2021 tournament.[17] Nighswonger was especially noted for scoring Olympico goals directly from her left-footed corner kicks,[18] including an equalizing Olympico goal in the 2022 ACC championship match,[19] a Michigan own goal forced by an Olympico goal attempt in the 2021 NCAA Division I tournament quarterfinals,[20] and two Olympico goals scored in separate September 2022 matches against Louisville[21] and Boston College, the latter of which was featured on SportsCenter.[22]

The Atlantic Coast Conference named Nighswonger the most valuable player of the 2022 ACC women's soccer tournament.[23] Nighswonger was also voted as one of three finalists for the 2022 Hermann Trophy recognizing the nation's best collegiate players.[24]

As a student at Florida State, Nighswonger majored in business and finance.[25]

Club career

In November 2022, Nighswonger said she was eschewing the fifth year of NCAA eligibility granted by the association due to the COVID-19 pandemic and considering playing for a European club after finishing her career at Florida State.[26][27]

Nighswonger was among the final registrants for the 2023 NWSL Draft and was considered by draft analysts as a top prospect as a midfielder.[28][29][30] On January 13, 2023, NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC selected Nighswonger with the 4th overall pick in the draft.[31][32]

NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2023–
Nighswonger playing for Gotham in 2023

Nighswonger signed a three-year contract with Gotham FC on March 17, 2023.[33] She made her NWSL regular-season debut with Gotham FC as a defender, substituting for an injured Ali Krieger during the club's 2023 NWSL season opener at Los Angeles.[34] On June 6, 2023, the NWSL named Nighswonger its May Rookie of the Month.[35]

International career

Nighswonger represented the United States under-20 team at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.[36] She also appeared for the under-16, under-17,[3] under-18,[37] and under-23 teams.[38]

Personal life

Nighswonger has an older sister with whom she played recreational soccer as a child, and is a fan of Manchester United.[25]

In 2022, Nighswonger donated $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, using money from her name, image, and likeness deal with Garnet & Gold.[39]

Career statistics
As of June 25, 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Playoffs[lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2023 NWSL 11220—132
Career total 1122000132
  1. Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. Includes NWSL Playoffs

Honors

Florida State Seminoles

United States U20

Individual

References
  1. "College of Business: Bachelor of Science With Major In" (PDF). Fall Commencement 2022. Tallahassee, Florida: Florida State University. December 9, 2022. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  2. "Jenna Nighswonger". ESPN. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. "#ECNLAYW | Jenna Nighswonger" (Press release). Elite Clubs National League. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. "2023 NWSL DRAFT FULL OF US YOUTH SOCCER ALUMNAE" (Press release). United States Youth Soccer Association. January 13, 2023.
  5. "Huntington Beach High School Graduate, Jenna Nighswonger, Drafted Fourth Overall in National Women's Soccer League" (Press release). Huntington Beach Union High School District.
  6. "Huntington Beach girls' soccer loses to rival Los Alamitos at Mater Dei tournament". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. Clark, Travis (May 3, 2017). "ACC power lands commitment of No. 6 recruit". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  8. "Four Current and Fourteen Former UWS Players Selected for International Duty" (Press release). United Women's Soccer. July 3, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  9. Rael, Chris (April 24, 2019). "SoCal Natives Join LA Galaxy OC". SoccerToday. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  10. "National Final: LA Galaxy OC 1, Calgary FWFC 0" (Press release). United Women's Soccer. July 22, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  11. "Jenna Nighswonger". Florida State Seminoles. July 23, 2019.
  12. Weiler, Curt. "Florida State soccer starts season with confident win over TCU". Tallahassee Democrat.
  13. information, FSU sports. "FSU women's soccer falls 3-2 in overtime at No. 5 Southern Cal". Tallahassee Democrat.
  14. Weiler, Curt. "Jenna Nighswonger's brace lifts No. 6 FSU past No. 24 Colorado in overtime". Tallahassee Democrat.
  15. "Santa Clara tops Florida State in shootout to win second NCAA title". The Equalizer. May 17, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. "Santa Clara, Marshall pull off upsets to win NCAA soccer championships". The Athletic. May 17, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  17. "SOCCER CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD TIME". Florida State Seminoles (Press release). December 7, 2021.
  18. Kassim, Ehsan (November 25, 2022). "Meet the queen of the corner kick: Florida State women's soccer senior Jenna Nighswonger". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  19. "Florida State Wins Third Consecutive ACC Women's Soccer Championship" (Press release). Atlantic Coast Conference. November 6, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  20. Woelkers, David (November 28, 2021). "Overtime loss to No. 1 Florida State ends No. 9 Michigan's NCAA run". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  21. 51' | JENNA WITH THE OLIMPICO!!!!. Twitter. Florida State Seminoles. September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  22. @TomahawkNation (September 17, 2022). "#FSU athletics had two @SportsCenter top ten moments yesterday — the Tate Rodemaker to Johnny Wilson touchdown connection, and this amazing goal by Jenna Nighswonger" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. "ACC CHAMPIONS!!! FSU Three Peats With a 2–1 Over UNC" (Press release). Florida State Seminoles. November 6, 2022.
  24. "2022 women's soccer MAC Hermann Trophy finalists announced" (Press release). NCAA. December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. "Gotham FC Player Profile: Jenna Nighswonger" (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  26. Nighswonger, Jenna (November 1, 2022). "Watch: Florida State women's soccer senior Jenna Nighswonger speaks ahead of ACC tournament". Tallahassee Democrat (Interview). Interviewed by Ehsan Kassim. Seminole Soccer Complex. Retrieved April 20, 2023. I'm obviously looking to play professional. It's just deciding which country I want to go to. Right now I'm leaning more towards going somewhere in Europe, but just figuring my life out these next two months so that I'm off playing somewhere in January. ... I did think about possibly coming back for my COVID year, but I just felt like it was time for me to move on and try a new challenge.
  27. "Jenna Nighswonger: A 'Nole like no other". FSU News. USA Today. November 6, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  28. Post, J.J. (January 11, 2023). "2023 NWSL DRAFT BIG BOARD". American Soccer Analysis. One of the last entries to the draft-eligible list, Nighswonger is a near lock to be a high first round selection.
  29. Carlisle, André (January 11, 2023). "NWSL MOCK DRAFT 2023 2.0: JENNA NIGHSWONGER SHAKES THINGS UP". Gaming Society. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  30. Lindsey, Lori (January 13, 2023). 2023 NWSL Draft: NY/NJ Gotham FC Select Jenna Nighswonger No. 4 Overall. CBS Sports. Event occurs at 0:34. Retrieved April 20, 2023. I think she's (Nighswonger) the best attacking midfielder in this class, available.
  31. Kassim, Ehsan (January 12, 2023). "Emily Madril, Jenna Nighswonger and Clara Robbins selected in first round of 2023 NWSL Draft". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  32. Anderson, Jason (March 22, 2023). "The NWSL newcomers you need to know for 2023". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  33. FC, Gotham (March 17, 2023). "Gotham FC Signs 2023 Fourth Overall NWSL Draft Pick Jenna Nighswonger". NJ/NY Gotham FC.
  34. Kassouf, Jeff (March 27, 2023). "Kassouf: The NWSL's VAR era makes its Hollywood debut". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  35. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Defender/Midfielder Jenna Nighswonger Named May Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  36. "Harvey Names USA Roster for 2020 Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championship in Dominican Republic". www.ussoccer.com.
  37. Woitalla, Mike (April 11, 2018). "Youth: U.S. U-18 women beat and tie the Swiss (highlights)". Soccer America. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  38. "U.S. UNDER-23 WOMEN'S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS INDIA 4-1 IN FIRST OF TWO MATCHES IN SWEDEN" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. June 26, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  39. Crabtree, Jeremy (October 20, 2022). "Florida State soccer star Jenna Nighswonger donates NIL proceeds to breast cancer research". On3.
  40. "Creighton's McGuire, Duke's Cooper win Hermann Trophy". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. January 6, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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