BYU Women's Soccer Cougs in the Pros

Since 2000, the Cougars have had 17 former student-athletes play in professional soccer leagues across the United States and around the world.

Date July 30, 2025 Author Brenna Seeman

PROVO, Utah - BYU women's soccer has had great success in the professional realm.

Since 2000, the Cougars have had 17 former student-athletes play in professional soccer leagues across the United States and around the world.

Five former BYU student-athletes have played overseas in Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain and Hungary.

In 2001, BYU All-Americans Maren Hendershot McCrary and Shauna Rohbock were drafted to play in the inaugural season of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA). This league evolved into the Women’s Professional League (WPL) in 2009 and BYU’s Katie Larkin played in the inaugural season.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) was formed in 2013 with eight teams, which has since expanded to 14. The Cougars have had 10 former student athletes play in the NWSL, with a program-record five players drafted in the 2023 draft class.

In 2024, the USL Super League was officially announced with eight teams across the U.S. Three former Cougars currently play in this league.

CURRENT NWSL COUGARS

Mikayla Colohan Cluff:

Following her BYU career, Mikayla Colohan Cluff was drafted 14th overall in the 2021 NWSL by the Orlando Pride. In 2023, she was traded to the Utah Royals where she currently plays.

Colohan Cluff played for BYU from 2017-2021 and was an integral part of BYU’s first-ever College Cup appearance. Playing in 93 games as a Cougar, her 53 career goals ranks second highest in BYU soccer history. She was a four-time All-American, 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist and Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year.

Nadia Gomes:

Nadia Gomes was drafted 23rd overall by the Orlando Pride in the 2017 NWSL draft. In 2018, Gomes represented Portugal at the 2018 Algarve Cup, scoring her first international goal in a win over Australia. After five years away from club soccer, Gomes signed with the San Francisco Glens for the 2023 USL W League season, where she became a team captain. She signed with the Chicago Red Stars in 2024 where she still plays.

As a striker for BYU, Gomes played 79 games, notching 22 goals and 23 assists. She was a 2015 NSCAA All-American and was on the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list.

Olivia Smith Griffitts:

Olivia Smith Griffitts was drafted by the Utah Royals as the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NWSL draft. In her first season with the Royals, she played in 13 games for a total of 1,107 minutes as a defender and scored one goal. Due to pregnancy, she will sit out the 2025 NWSL season.

During her BYU career Griffitts played in 82 games, notching four goals and 19 assists. She was an integral part of BYU’s defense during their 2021 and 2023 College Cup runs.

Ashley Hatch:

As BYU’s highest NWSL draft pick and most prolific professional player, Ashley Hatch was chosen second overall by the North Carolina Courage in 2017. Named the NWSL Rookie of the Year, Hatch recorded seven goals and one assist. In 2018, she was traded to the Washington Spirit where she currently plays. Hatch earned the 2021 Golden Boot after finishing her regular season with 10 goals.

She made her first USWNT appearance in 2016, as BYU’s first former women’s soccer player to compete with the senior national team. In 2021, Hatch made the USWNT roster for two friendlies in Australia where she scored her first international goal.

During her career at BYU, Hatch was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and NSCAA All-American. Playing in 69 games for BYU, she tallied 45 goals and 18 assists.

Olivia Wade-Katoa:

Drafted 23rd overall by the Portland Thorns in the 2024 NWSL draft, Wade-Katoa had six professional appearances as a rookie. Due to pregnancy, she will sit out the entirety of the 2025 season.

As a captain and key member of the 2021 and 2023 College Cup teams at BYU, Wade-Katoa competed in 120 games as a Cougar. She scored 25 goals and tallied 20 assists, earning 2023 NCAA Third Team All-American and All-Big 12 Second Team honors.

Brecken Mozingo:

Selected fourth overall by the Utah Royals, Brecken Mozingo became the second-highest NWSL draft pick in BYU history. She played significant minutes for the Royals as a rookie and continues to make an impact on the field, playing in 12 games so far this season and tallying three goals in back-to-back-to-back games.

After transferring to BYU as a sophomore, Mozingo became one of BYU’s most decorated student-athletes. She played 93 games and tallied 36 goals and 37 assists during her collegiate career. As a senior, she was named a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist and NCAA First Team All-American. She earned College Cup All-Tournament Team, All-Midwest Region Team and All-Big 12 Team honors her senior season.

Jamie Shepherd:

Along with her four teammates, Jamie Shepherd was drafted in 2024 as the 30th overall pick by Bay FC. The center midfielder played in two games as a rookie and has played in six games so far this season.

At BYU, Shepherd holds the record for most games played with 108 games under her belt. Playing in all but one game from her freshman to senior year, Shepherd notched 14 goals and 21 assists. She became a 2022 NCAA Second Team All-American and was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist as a senior.