Women’s Soccer: Staude taken by Courage in NWSL Draft

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Talia Staude became the latest Virginia women’s soccer player to get drafted by the National Women’s Soccer League when she was selected by the North Carolina Courage in the second round of the NWSL Draft on Friday.

Staude was taken with the 24th overall pick in the draft. She was the first player taken in the draft by the Courage.

Over the course of her five years with Virginia, Staude logged 8,794 minutes on the back line – the second most minutes played by any player in program history. Staude appeared in 103 games with 95 starts for the Cavaliers and helped anchor a defense that posted 56 shutouts across her career.

Staude scored six goals in her career and tallied seven assists – including three goals and two assists this past season.

Virginia has now had 22 players taken in the NWSL Draft in the 11-year history of the event. Staude joins fellow Virginia players Caroline Miller, Molly Menchel, Annie Steinlage, Shasta Fisher, Morgan Brian, Danielle Colaprico, Emily Sonnett, Makenzy Doniak, Brittany Ratcliffe, Alexis Shaffer, Kristen McNabb, Veronica Latsko, Betsy Brandon, Courtney Petersen, Phoebe McClernon, Zoe Morse, Alissa Gorzak, Taryn Torres and Diana Ordoñez as NWSL draft selections.

Virginia has had at least one player selected in every NWSL Draft. The Cavaliers are one of two teams to have a player taken in every NWSL Draft along with Stanford.

“We could not be more excited for Talia as she has worked hard over the years to develop and prepare for the next level,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “It is great to see her get drafted and start a new journey with the North Carolina Courage and the NWSL.”