OL Reign Selects Two Players in 2023 NWSL Draft

OL Reign made two selections in the 2023 NWSL Draft. The club selected defender Shae Holmes from the University of Washington and midfielder Natalie Viggiano out of University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, OL Reign completed a trade with the Washington Spirit for defender Emily Sonnett.

Holmes, a left-footed defender, played in 44 games at the University of Washington, starting in 32 of those games. She was an integral part of the squad, adding two goals and seven assists. She was also recognized as an ALL-Pac-12 Second Team this year.

“I was super nervous going into it but overall, right now I feel excitement. I had all my teammates here,” said Holmes. “I am honestly speechless and just overwhelmed with so much joy. Ever since I have been coached by Laura in World Cup qualifying, I loved her as a coach, and I have always wanted to be coached by her again”.

OL Reign’s selected Natalie Viggiano, a right footed midfielder from University of Wisconsin-Madison, as its second selection in the draft, the 46th overall pick. She started in all 19 games this season and provided her team with six goals, including four game winners and two assists. In her college career, Viggiano averaged 0.504 shots on goal.

In the Reign’s last action of the draft, OL Reign acquired Emily Sonnett as part of a trade with the Washington Spirit, in exchange for the 32nd overall draft pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and OL Reign’s natural first round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. The 29-year-old defender made 10 appearances (nine starts) for Washington in the 2022 NWSL season, accumulating a total of 842 minutes. She made 19 interceptions and had a 52% success rate on aerial duels. Sonnett has amassed 69 appearances for the United States Women’s National Team, adding one goal and five assists for the team.