Andi Sullivan, seen here during a training camp last fall for the United States Women’s National Team, was selected with the first overall pick by the Washington Spirit in this year’s NWSL College Draft (photo credit: Lyndsay Radnedge/Center Line Soccer)

After a difficult 2017 NWSL season Washington Spirit supporters were looking for a glimmer of hope within the halls of the Philadelphia Convention Center on Thursday. They seemed to have found it with the club taking Andi Sullivan of Stanford and Rebecca Quinn of Duke with top of the top three overall picks at the NWSL College Draft.

Sullivan, 22, won the 2017 Hermann Trophy with Stanford last season scoring 20 goals and tallying 19 assists. The Lorton, Virginia native helped the Cardinals win the 2017 College Cup and has already made seven appearances for the United States Women’s National Team. She is currently training with the USWNT along with new teammate  ahead of their January 21st friendly with Denmark (4:30PM PT, ESPN)

“It’s such an honor and a privilege to go No. 1,” said Sullivan. “There are so many amazing players in the league so it truly means a lot to me. It’s an exciting time for the league, and I’m very excited to come back to the D.M.V. and play in the stadium where I grew up watching games.”

Rebecca Quinn (#5, top row, second from the left) will join fellow Canadian Women’s National Team members Stephanie Labbe (#1, second row middle), Shelina Zadorsky (#4 second row, second from the right), and Lindsay Agnew (#22 second row, second from the left) as part of the Washington Spirit in 2018 (photo credit: David Chant).

Quinn, 22, was picked number three overall after the Spirit moved up three spots in a series of trades on Tuesday that also saw them pick up defender Taylor Smith and forward Ashley Hatch. She was named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-American Roster after a standout senior season with the Blue Devils. Working as both a defender and midfielder Quinn helped Duke make the 2017 NCAA Semifinals. A Canadian international with 33 caps and a bronze medal from the 2016 Rio Games under her belt she is expected to help a Spirit defense that allowed 48 goals last season, second-worst among all sides in the NWSL.

In the later rounds the club would continue to add depth to their defense and attack.  In the second round the club would select forward/defender Schuyler Debree of Duke (number 11 overall) and midfielder/forward Mallory Eubanks of Mississippi State (number 16 overall). Debree played alongside Quinn in the Blue Devils back four and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Eubanks was named to the  second team All-Southeast Region by United Soccer Coaches after an 8 goal, 17 assist season for the Bulldogs. 

The third round would see the Spirit take defender Brittany Basinger (number 21) of Penn State University and midfielder Maddie Huster (number 26) of Wake Forest University. Basinger and the Nittany Lions backline compiled 12 shutouts last season en route to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Huster started all 21 games for the Demon Deacons last and was named to the All-ACC Second Team. She is also the sister of current Spirit midfielder Tori Huster.

With their final pick in the draft the Spirit selected midfielder Rachel Moore (number 31) of William and Mary. Moore scored five goals for The Tribe earning All-CAA First Team honors for the side in the process.