Kaleigh Riehl Drafted No. 11 Overall In NWSL College Draft, Will Join Sky Blue FC
Former Penn State women’s soccer center back and captain Kaleigh Riehl was the 11th overall pick in Thursday’s NWSL College Draft in Baltimore, and will join Harrison, New Jersey’s Sky Blue FC for the 2020 season.
Riehl, who completed her redshirt senior season in 2019, has lead Penn State’s backline alongside fellow defender Ellie Jean since the program’s 2015 national championship-winning campaign. Jean has joined Danish side FC Nordsjælland.
A technical and tough defender, Riehl is a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist, first and second team All-American, and the NCAA all-time leader in minutes played by a position player. She was called up to the United States Women’s National Team’s ID camp last month.
Riehl will join USWNT star Carli Lloyd and Sky Blue as they attempt to improve on last year’s eighth-place, second-to-last league finish. Riehl should play a significant role in a defense that is in desperate need of reinforcement. She was close to reuniting with former teammate and Penn State star Rocky Rodriguez, who was traded from Sky Blue to the Portland Thorns last week.
Riehl is the newest member of a long list of Penn State women’s soccer draftees. Emily Ogle and Maddie Nolf were both selected in the third round of last year’s draft.
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
Reflections & Memories From Happy Valley: Ishaan Kalani’s Senior Column
“Penn State has been more than just a place of academic pursuit for me. It’s been a melting pot of experiences, lasting friendships, and personal growth.”
Penn State Alum Tommy Viola Taking Lifelong Love For Baseball Into Minor League Role
“I’m living my dream. All I ever wanted to do was work in baseball.”
Matt McGloin Advocating For Students, Honoring Paterno Family Legacy In Board Of Trustees Campaign
“Where I’m at today in life and all that I have is because I had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Penn State University. For me, this is how I give back to school that’s given me so much.”
To The People & The Place, I Love You, Goodbye: Jim Davidson’s Senior Column
“Although it’s still unclear where my own path, where my own train, is headed, I know that if I could go back and begin the same journey again, I would slow down as I passed through Happy Valley.”