LOS ANGELES — “With the second pick in the fourth round of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft, the Orlando Pride select Nickolette Driesse, Penn State University,” NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush announced Thursday afternoon live from the JW Marriott. With Driesse being selected with the 32nd overall pick Thursday, the Nittany Lions have had at least one selection in every NWSL College Draft.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank God, because without him none of this would even be possible,” Driesse said. “I’d like to thank my family for always supporting me and always believing in me. I’d like to thank Penn State and my coaches. Everyone at PDA. All of my teammates growing up, because without you guys I would not be here. I’m really excited for this opportunity with Orlando.”
“On behalf of the Penn State women’s soccer family, we are happy to see our 2016 team captain Nickolette Driesse make her dream become a reality,” head coach Erica Dambach said. “We want to wish her the best of luck in this next stage of her playing career. Orlando Pride is an excellent organization and they have not only added a tremendous player, but an even better person to their team. We are thrilled to follow her next step in life and we are happy to see that she begins her NWSL career with a pair of Nittany Lions in Orlando with Maddy Evans and Ali Krieger.”
Driesse joins a pair of Nittany Lions on the Orlando roster heading into the 2017 season. Maddy Evans enters her second year with the club after being selected in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft from the Boston Breakers and Ali Krieger enters her first season with the club after being traded from the Washington Spirit during the offseason.
Driesse started all 21 matches for the Nittany Lions in the midfield during her senior season in 2016. On the year, she recorded eight points on one goal and six assists. Driesse's six assists last season led the Nittany Lions. She posted three-straight games with at least one assist (9/18-25) and she tied a career-best two assists in a 3-0 win at Maryland (10/9). Her lone goal of the season was the game-winner in a 6-0 victory against Bucknell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (11/11).
During her junior season at Penn State, Driesse played in all 27 matches, which included 20 starts, en route to Penn State’s first national title. On the year, Driesse scored four goals and tallied six assists.
Driesse’s honors with Penn State include: NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team (2016), All-Big Ten First Team (2016), Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2016) and Academic All-Big Ten (2016).