Photo by: Tim Carey
Heilferty Selected by Washington Spirit in NWSL Draft
January 14, 2021 | Women's Soccer
BOSTON - Anna Heilferty of the Boston University women's soccer team was selected 19th overall by the Washington Spirit in the 2021 National Women's Soccer League Draft Wednesday night.
Heilferty, the first Terrier in program history to be drafted into the NWSL, posted a standout career during her time in Boston. The Falls Church, Virginia native was named to the 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and reeled in All-Patriot League honors in each of her three seasons. The 2017 Patriot League Rookie of the Year either held or tied for the team lead in both points and goal throughout all three of the years, and five of her 13 career scores were game-winning goals, including the decisive goal in the 2018 Patriot League championship contest.
"It has been a lifelong dream to play professional soccer in the NWSL," said Heilferty. "I am so honored to start my career with the Washington Spirit and represent my hometown. My time at BU is one of the biggest reasons I am where I am. Coach Feldman develops and challenges her players to be the most complete and well-rounded players. My BU teammates are a big part of my life and continue to be a source of support, love, and happiness in my life. I am so excited to embark on this next journey."
Throughout her career, she was twice named the Preseason Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019), earned 2018 All-Patriot League First Team honors as well as a spot on the All-PL Tournament team, and capped her career with an All-PL Second Team nod in 2019.
"Anna worked very hard on the field and in the classroom during her time at BU and in our Terrier program," said coach Nancy Feldman. "As a captain this year, she was a steady leader in difficult times and was a model of how to prepare, deal with uncertainty and continuing to persist toward goals even in challenging times. She was never one to shy away from holding herself accountable. She will be a great professional player because she loves the game, is not afraid to work hard, wants to be great and knows how to get up when she stumbles."
Heilferty graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences this past December with a degree in biology.
She joins an accomplished list of Terriers who have competed at the professional level. Deidre Enos ('00) was drafted by the Philadelphia Charge in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) Supplemental Draft in 2001. Marisha Schumacher-Hodge ('09) played for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), the Boston Aztecs in the Women's Professional Soccer League (WPSL) and the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of the W-League.
Mara Osher was the seventh pick in the sixth round for the Washington Freedom, while Casey Brown was the fifth pick of the seventh round for the Boston Breakers in the 2010 WPSL draft.
On the NWSL front, Kylie Strom ('14) played on the Boston Breakers from 2016-17. Clare Pleuler ('16) attended the Washington Spirit's training camp in 2017, and McKenzie Hollenbaugh ('16) additionally participated in training camps for FC Kansas, NY Flash, and the Boston Breakers.
Heilferty, the first Terrier in program history to be drafted into the NWSL, posted a standout career during her time in Boston. The Falls Church, Virginia native was named to the 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and reeled in All-Patriot League honors in each of her three seasons. The 2017 Patriot League Rookie of the Year either held or tied for the team lead in both points and goal throughout all three of the years, and five of her 13 career scores were game-winning goals, including the decisive goal in the 2018 Patriot League championship contest.
"It has been a lifelong dream to play professional soccer in the NWSL," said Heilferty. "I am so honored to start my career with the Washington Spirit and represent my hometown. My time at BU is one of the biggest reasons I am where I am. Coach Feldman develops and challenges her players to be the most complete and well-rounded players. My BU teammates are a big part of my life and continue to be a source of support, love, and happiness in my life. I am so excited to embark on this next journey."
Throughout her career, she was twice named the Preseason Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019), earned 2018 All-Patriot League First Team honors as well as a spot on the All-PL Tournament team, and capped her career with an All-PL Second Team nod in 2019.
"Anna worked very hard on the field and in the classroom during her time at BU and in our Terrier program," said coach Nancy Feldman. "As a captain this year, she was a steady leader in difficult times and was a model of how to prepare, deal with uncertainty and continuing to persist toward goals even in challenging times. She was never one to shy away from holding herself accountable. She will be a great professional player because she loves the game, is not afraid to work hard, wants to be great and knows how to get up when she stumbles."
Heilferty graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences this past December with a degree in biology.
She joins an accomplished list of Terriers who have competed at the professional level. Deidre Enos ('00) was drafted by the Philadelphia Charge in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) Supplemental Draft in 2001. Marisha Schumacher-Hodge ('09) played for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), the Boston Aztecs in the Women's Professional Soccer League (WPSL) and the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of the W-League.
Mara Osher was the seventh pick in the sixth round for the Washington Freedom, while Casey Brown was the fifth pick of the seventh round for the Boston Breakers in the 2010 WPSL draft.
On the NWSL front, Kylie Strom ('14) played on the Boston Breakers from 2016-17. Clare Pleuler ('16) attended the Washington Spirit's training camp in 2017, and McKenzie Hollenbaugh ('16) additionally participated in training camps for FC Kansas, NY Flash, and the Boston Breakers.
With the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, we have selected Anna Heilferty from @TerrierWSOC. pic.twitter.com/T5jofZ7V0s
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) January 14, 2021
Players Mentioned
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