BYU women’s soccer: Ashley Hatch selected by the North Carolina Courage with the second pick of the NWSL Draft

Former BYU women’s soccer star, Ashley Hatch, is now a member of the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) North Carolina Courage. The Courage selected the former Cougar forward with the second pick in today’s 2017 NWSL College Draft.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Hatch was taken early on in the NWSL Draft considering her success at BYU and her recent brief stint with the USWNT.

The Gilbert, Arizona native was on pace to lead the entire country in scoring this past season, but fell off that pace during her two-week call-up with the USWNT. Hatch still ended her senior season as a Cougar with 19 goals and six assists, giving her 47 goals and 21 assists for her collegiate career. As a senior, she was also named to the NSCAA All-America First Team.

Hatch joins the NWSL’s reigning champions, albeit under another name. The Western New York Flash, winners of the 2016 NWSL Championship, were recently purchased by North Carolina FC from the North American Soccer Leauge, moved to North Carolina, and rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.

Hatch will join USWNT regulars Jaelene Hinkle and Samantha Mewis on the Courage. Best of luck to Ashley as she begins her professional soccer career in North Carolina.