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Stevens Selected by Chicago Red Stars in 2020 NWSL Draft
1/16/2020 3:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BALTIMORE, Md. – After enjoying one of the best careers in Duke women's soccer history, Ella Stevens is officially taking her talents to the professional ranks after being selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League College Draft at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore.
"Thank you to Chicago first of all for drafting me and giving me the opportunity to play at the next level," said Stevens. "I want to thank my parents for being behind me through everything. Thank you to the coaches from Duke, club and high school. Thank you Robbie (Church) for allowing me to go to Duke. I've been surrounded by amazing people over these last three and a half years. I've had teammates who I consider to be more like family, and I love you guys so much. You made me a better person, player and student. Thank you and I'm ready to get to work."
Chicago selected Stevens with the 24th overall pick in the draft, giving Duke 14 all-time selections and at least one pick in the last five NWSL drafts. Stevens becomes the first Blue Devil to be drafted by the Red Stars in program history.
Stevens proved to be an offensive catalyst for Duke this season, earning All-Region honors for the third time in her career. The Grayson, Ga., native was also named to the All-ACC Second Team earlier this season, marking the fourth year receiving conference honors.
This season, she tied for the team lead in points with 22, while tying for second in goals scored with eight. Her 82 career points place her sixth all-time in Duke history, while she ranks amongst the top five in program history in career goals scored (24) and career assists (34).
All-Time DWS Players in the Drafts
YEAR PLAYER TEAM ROUND (PICK)
1996 Kelly Walbert Atlanta Beat (WUSA) 6th (81)
1998 Kristy Whelchel New York Power (WUSA) 3rd (20)
2000 Sherrill Kester San Diego Spirit (WUSA) 2nd (14)
2009 Rebecca Moros Washington Freedom (WPS) 6th (36)
2010 Elisabeth Redmond St. Louis Athletica (WPS) 7th (64)
2014 Natasha Anasi Boston Breakers 2nd (13)
Mollie Pathman Boston Breakers 3rd (23)
Kim DeCesare Boston Breakers 4th (34)
2016 Kara Wilson Washington Spirit 4th (37)
2017 Christina Gibbons FC Kansas City 1st (5)
Toni Payne FC Kansas City 2nd (13)
2018 Rebecca Quinn Washington Spirit 1st (3)
Imani Dorsey Sky Blue FC 1st (5)
Schuyler DeBree Washington Spirit 2nd (11)
Ashton Miller Boston Breakers 3rd (22)
EJ Proctor Utah Royals FC 4th (34)
Morgan Reid NC Courage 4th (38)
2019 Kayla McCoy Houston Dash 2nd (18)
2020 Ella Stevens Chicago Red Stars 3rd (24)
For more information on Duke women's soccer, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeWSoc". You can also find all-access coverage of all Duke athletic programs on SnapChat by searching for "dukeathletics".
#GoDuke
"Thank you to Chicago first of all for drafting me and giving me the opportunity to play at the next level," said Stevens. "I want to thank my parents for being behind me through everything. Thank you to the coaches from Duke, club and high school. Thank you Robbie (Church) for allowing me to go to Duke. I've been surrounded by amazing people over these last three and a half years. I've had teammates who I consider to be more like family, and I love you guys so much. You made me a better person, player and student. Thank you and I'm ready to get to work."
Chicago selected Stevens with the 24th overall pick in the draft, giving Duke 14 all-time selections and at least one pick in the last five NWSL drafts. Stevens becomes the first Blue Devil to be drafted by the Red Stars in program history.
Stevens proved to be an offensive catalyst for Duke this season, earning All-Region honors for the third time in her career. The Grayson, Ga., native was also named to the All-ACC Second Team earlier this season, marking the fourth year receiving conference honors.
This season, she tied for the team lead in points with 22, while tying for second in goals scored with eight. Her 82 career points place her sixth all-time in Duke history, while she ranks amongst the top five in program history in career goals scored (24) and career assists (34).
All-Time DWS Players in the Drafts
YEAR PLAYER TEAM ROUND (PICK)
1996 Kelly Walbert Atlanta Beat (WUSA) 6th (81)
1998 Kristy Whelchel New York Power (WUSA) 3rd (20)
2000 Sherrill Kester San Diego Spirit (WUSA) 2nd (14)
2009 Rebecca Moros Washington Freedom (WPS) 6th (36)
2010 Elisabeth Redmond St. Louis Athletica (WPS) 7th (64)
2014 Natasha Anasi Boston Breakers 2nd (13)
Mollie Pathman Boston Breakers 3rd (23)
Kim DeCesare Boston Breakers 4th (34)
2016 Kara Wilson Washington Spirit 4th (37)
2017 Christina Gibbons FC Kansas City 1st (5)
Toni Payne FC Kansas City 2nd (13)
2018 Rebecca Quinn Washington Spirit 1st (3)
Imani Dorsey Sky Blue FC 1st (5)
Schuyler DeBree Washington Spirit 2nd (11)
Ashton Miller Boston Breakers 3rd (22)
EJ Proctor Utah Royals FC 4th (34)
Morgan Reid NC Courage 4th (38)
2019 Kayla McCoy Houston Dash 2nd (18)
2020 Ella Stevens Chicago Red Stars 3rd (24)
For more information on Duke women's soccer, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeWSoc". You can also find all-access coverage of all Duke athletic programs on SnapChat by searching for "dukeathletics".
#GoDuke
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