Provenzano Selected in NWSL Draft

Senior back Gabby Provenzano of Rutgers women's soccer was selected 22nd overall by Portland Thorns FC in the 2022 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft on Saturday. The 2021 Big Ten Defender of the Year becomes the ninth Scarlet Knight to hear her name called to the pros. 

It marks the seventh consecutive season that the program had at least one player drafted into the NWSL, which began in 2013. Provenzano will reunite with former teammate and defender at Rutgers, Madison Pogarch, on the Thorns roster. Provenzano joins senior forward Amirah Ali as the newest Scarlet Knights in the league, as Ali was drafted to the NWSL in 2021 before returning for her final year of eligibility.  

Provenzano, an All-Region First Team selection, earned her first All-America First Team honor following the historic 2021 season. The 2021 Big Ten defender led Rutgers to its first Big Ten title in program and school history. The captain then guided the Scarlet Knights to the College Cup for the second time and first since 2015. She was named a semifinalist for the 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to that National Player of the Year. 

The Sergeantsville, New Jersey, native picked up her second straight All-Big Ten First Team nod, aiding Rutgers in a total of 13 shutouts this season and five clean sheets in league play. The senior back added two goals and an assist on the season, bringing her career totals to five goals and three assists.

Provenzano eclipsed 100 career games played this season, the most for a Scarlet Knight in program history. She garners a resume of All-America, two-time All-Big Ten, two-time All-Region, two-time Big Ten All-Tournament, Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and numerous Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades. The captain was tabbed a candidate for the 2021 Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.

In the classroom, the sport management major is a Scholar All-America, Scholar All-Region, Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honoree. The Sergeantsville, New Jersey, native was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society.

KNIGHT IN THE NWSL

The 2021 NWSL season featured seven former Scarlet Knights in Taylor Aylmer (Washington Spirit), Kristen Edmonds (Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Gotham FC), Casey Murphy (NC Courage), Madison Pogarch (Portland Thorns), Erica Skroski (Gotham FC), and Kenie Wright (Gotham FC). Aylmer was crowned a champion with the Washington Spirit, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to claim an NWSL title since the league’s inception in 2013. 

Ali will begin her rookie campaign with Provenzano in 2022 after being selected in the last year's NWSL Draft by Portland Thorns. In Thursday’s Expansion Draft, the forward was selected by San Diego Wave FC. The 2022 season will mark the inaugural year the club, as Ali joins the debut squad which includes NWSL standout Alex Morgan.