Tagliaferri Signs with NC Courage of the NWSL
1/12/2022
Senior Frankie Tagliaferri has signed with NC Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Tagliaferri begins her professional career following a historic collegiate career.
Tagliaferri enters the league as a two-time All-American, three-time All-Region, five-time All-Big Ten, and three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. The NCAA active career leader in games registered 114 appearances, marking the most games ever played by a DI women's soccer player. The 2021 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy Award Semifinalist is coming off a season in which she helped guide Rutgers to its first ever Big Ten Conference Title and second College Cup appearance in program history.
“Having the opportunity to play for the NC Courage, as well as the coaches and players there, is an absolute dream that I am beyond thankful for. Playing in the NWSL in general is a huge honor, and has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. The cherry on top of it all is not just being close enough for my family to travel often to games, but to also be playing alongside Rutgers and PDA alum Casey Murphy, who I have trained with and learned so much from since I was in middle school,” said Tagliaferri
Navigating unprecedented changes due to the covid-19 pandemic, the NWSL implement new options for players entering the league across the last two seasons. For those who returned for their fifth year of NCAA eligibility in 2021, the players were given the option to either enter this year’s draft or remain a Discovery Player. Tagliaferri, who chose to forgo entering the 2021 NWSL College Draft and complete her fifth year at Rutgers, remained a Discovery Player rather than entering the 2022 draft. Her rights were picked up in October and the NC Courage have now officially announced her signing to the club.
“Draft day is a day all of us athletes with professional aspirations dream of experiencing, but after having the opportunity as a fifth year to decide whether to enter the draft or remain as a discovery player, I started having many conversations with my family and coaches. I decided not to enter the draft and to remain as a discovery player because I believed it gave me the best opportunity to navigate where I end up, and I am blessed and grateful to say that is with the NC Courage,” said Tagliaferri.
Tagliaferri made history with Rutgers in 2021, guiding the Scarlet Knights to its first ever Big Ten Conference title for the program and school with a 10-0 undefeated record. RU then secured the program’s 10th straight NCAA Tournament bid, advancing to the College Cup for the second time and first since 2015.
The Colts Neck, New Jersey, native was tabbed an All-American for the second straight season, garnering First Team recognition this year. The midfielder was honored as a semifinalist for the 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top player. The 2021 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team selection led the conference with 31 total points, including 12 goals and seven assists in the regular season.
Tagliaferri eclipsed 100 total career points this season, having notched 35 tallies with 13 goals and nine assists en route to a total of 114 career points (40g, 34a). In just one year as a Scarlet Knight, her 35 single-season points rank tied for third on the Rutgers charts. Additionally, she was named a Senior CLASS Award finalist, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.
In the classroom, Tagliaferri is a CoSIDA Academic All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-District, Academic All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honoree.
Across her five years, Tagliaferri became a two-time Big Ten Tournament Champion and a three-time conference regular season champion. The midfielder has competed in five straight NCAA Tournaments, including three quarterfinal runs and a College Cup appearance.
Tagliaferri is also a member of the U.S. Women's National team pool, most recently joining he U-19 squad for camp in May 2018. She has been rostered on the USWNT at the U-14, U-15, U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels.
“Returning for my fifth year was a no brainer to me. College soccer has given me memories and people that can never be replaced and will never be forgotten. As excited as I was to start my professional career in 2021, I believed everything happens for a reason, and this opportunity was something I couldn’t let go by. Obviously, I made the decision to spend my final year here at Rutgers, which has given me the blessing of time. More time with not just these amazing coaches, teammates, and people all within this university, but also with my family before I take this next step in my career. And I cannot thank this program enough for the way they have prepared me for that!,“ said Tagliaferri.
KNIGHTS IN THE NWSL
Tagliaferri joins Amirah Ali and Gabby Provenzano as the newest Scarlet Knights to begin their rookie campaigns in the NWSL. The trio adds to long history of Rutgers women’s soccer alumni going pro, as the most recent 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).
