Jenna Nighswonger

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Jenna Nighswonger
NC Courage vs Gotham FC (Mar 2024) 081 (Nighswonger).jpg
Nighswonger with Gotham FC in 2024
Personal information
Full name Jenna Gray Nighswonger [1]
Date of birth (2000-11-28) November 28, 2000 (age 23) [2]
Place of birth Huntington Beach, California, United States
Position(s) Midfielder / defender
Team information
Current team
 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Number 2
Youth career
2015–2018 Slammers FC
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019–2022 Florida State Seminoles 86 (19)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019 LA Galaxy OC
2023– NJ/NY Gotham FC 20 (3)
International career‡
2016 United States U16
2017–2018 United States U19 4 (1)
2019–2020 United States U20 9 (1)
2019–2022 United States U23 2 (1)
2023– United States 7 (2)
Medal record
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Winner 2024 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 25, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 6, 2024

Jenna Gray Nighswonger (born November 28, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder or defender for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States women's national team. She lifted the 2023 NWSL Championship trophy with Gotham FC and was named the 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year.

Contents

Early life

Nighswonger played youth soccer for Slammers FC, winning a U14 ECNL National Championship. [3] She also participated in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. [4]

Nighswonger graduated from Huntington Beach High School in December 2018. [5] She played soccer for the school until her junior year, when she instead opted to play for a United States Soccer Development Academy club. [6]

College career

In May 2017, Nighswonger committed to play college soccer at Florida State. [7] In 2019, she played for United Women's Soccer club LA Galaxy OC [8] [9] and played in the league's national championship, which LA Galaxy OC won in a 1–0 victory over Calgary Foothills WFC. [10]

She played at Florida State from 2019 to 2022. [11] Nighswonger made her Florida State debut on August 22, 2019, against TCU. [12] She scored her first collegiate goal on September 1, 2019, against USC. [13] She recorded her first brace on September 12, 2019, against Colorado. [14]

The Seminoles reached the finals of the 2020 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament, drawing in regulation against Santa Clara University 1–1 on Nighswonger's 63rd-minute goal before losing in a penalty shoot-out, [15] [16] and won the 2021 tournament. [17] Nighswonger was especially noted for scoring Olympico goals directly from her left-footed corner kicks, [18] including an equalizing Olympico goal in the 2022 ACC championship match, [19] a Michigan own goal forced by an Olympico goal attempt in the 2021 NCAA Division I tournament quarterfinals, [20] and two Olympico goals scored in separate September 2022 matches against Louisville [21] and Boston College, the latter of which was featured on SportsCenter . [22]

The Atlantic Coast Conference named Nighswonger the most valuable player of the 2022 ACC women's soccer tournament. [23] Nighswonger was also voted as one of three finalists for the 2022 Hermann Trophy recognizing the nation's best collegiate players. [24]

Club career

In November 2022, Nighswonger said she was eschewing the fifth year of NCAA eligibility granted by the association due to the COVID-19 pandemic and considering playing for a European club after finishing her career at Florida State. [25] [26]

Nighswonger was among the final registrants for the 2023 NWSL Draft and was considered by draft analysts as a top prospect as a midfielder. [27] [28] [29] On January 13, 2023, NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC selected Nighswonger with the 4th overall pick in the draft. [30] [31]

NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2023–present

Nighswonger playing for Gotham in 2023 NC Courage vs Gotham FC (Oct 2023) 136 (cropped).jpg
Nighswonger playing for Gotham in 2023

Nighswonger signed a three-year contract with Gotham FC on March 17, 2023. [32] She made her NWSL regular-season debut with Gotham FC, substituting for an injured Ali Krieger during the club's 2023 NWSL season opener at Angel City. [33] Though she primarily played as an attacker during her college career, head coach Juan Carlos Amoros played her at outside-back during her first professional season. [34] [35] She played in 20 league games, starting in 17. She scored three goals and played over 1,500 minutes during the regular season. [36] The NWSL named Nighswonger its Rookie of the Month in May and July, making her the only player to earn the award twice. [37] [38] She was named Rookie of the Year on November 8, 2023. [39] Nighswonger played in every game of the NWSL postseason, helping Gotham FC lift the NWSL Championship trophy on November 11, 2023. [40]

International career

Nighswonger represented the United States under-20 team at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. [41] She also appeared for the under-16, under-17, [3] under-18, [42] and under-23 teams. [43] She was called into her first full women's national team camp November 20, 2023 and made her first appearance on December 2, 2023, in a 3–0 win against China PR. [44] [45] Though she was called up as a midfielder, Nighswonger played in her first national team games as an outside-back. Nighswonger earned her first start on December 5, 2023, against China PR. [46] She scored her first goal on February 20, 2024, when she converted a penalty against the Dominican Republic during the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

Personal life

Nighswonger has an older sister with whom she played recreational soccer as a child, and is a fan of Manchester United. [47]

In 2022, Nighswonger donated $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, using money from her name, image, and likeness deal with Garnet & Gold. [48]

Career statistics

As of March 16, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup [lower-alpha 1] Playoffs [lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2023 NWSL 2036230295
2024 00100010
Career total2037230305

International

As of match played April 6, 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 2023 20
2024 52
Total72

International goals

Key (expand for notes on "international goals" and sorting)
LocationGeographic location of the venue where the competition occurred
Sorted by country name first, then by city name
LineupStart – played entire match
on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time

off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time
( c ) – captain
Sorted by minutes played

Goal in matchGoal of total goals by the player in the match
Sorted by total goals followed by goal number
#NumberOfGoals.goalNumber scored by the player in the match (alternate notation to Goal in match)
MinThe minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal.
Assist/passThe ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information.
penalty or pkGoal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.)
ScoreThe match score after the goal was scored.
Sorted by goal difference, then by goal scored by the player's team
ResultThe final score.

Sorted by goal difference in the match, then by goal difference in penalty-shoot-out if it is taken, followed by goal scored by the player's team in the match, then by goal scored in the penalty-shoot-out. For matches with identical final scores, match ending in extra-time without penalty-shoot-out is a tougher match, therefore precede matches that ended in regulation

aetThe score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation
pso Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parentheses; the match was tied at the end of extra-time
Light-purple background color – exhibition or closed door international friendly match
Light-yellow background color – match at an invitational tournament
Light-orange background color – Olympic women's football qualification match
Light-blue background color – FIFA women's world cup qualification match
Pink background color – Continental Games or regional tournament
Orange background color – Olympic women's football tournament
Blue background color – FIFA women's world cup final tournament
NOTE on background colors: Continental Games or regional tournament are sometimes also qualifier for World Cup or Olympics; information depends on the source such as the player's federation.

NOTE: some keys may not apply for a particular football player


Goals		CapDateLocationOpponentLineupMinAssist/passScoreResultCompetition
132024-02-20 [m 1] Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Start86'penalty

4–0

5–0

 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
252024-03-03 [m 2] Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia Start22' Alex Morgan

2–0

3–0

Honors

United States

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Florida State Seminoles

United States U20

Individual

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References

  1. ↑ "College of Business: Bachelor of Science With Major In" (PDF). Fall Commencement 2022. Tallahassee, Florida: Florida State University. December 9, 2022. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Jenna Nighswonger". ESPN . Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "#ECNLAYW | Jenna Nighswonger" (Press release). Elite Clubs National League. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "2023 NWSL DRAFT FULL OF US YOUTH SOCCER ALUMNAE" (Press release). United States Youth Soccer Association. January 13, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Huntington Beach High School Graduate, Jenna Nighswonger, Drafted Fourth Overall in National Women's Soccer League" (Press release). Huntington Beach Union High School District.
  6. ↑ "Huntington Beach girls' soccer loses to rival Los Alamitos at Mater Dei tournament". Los Angeles Times . December 14, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  12. ↑ Weiler, Curt. "Florida State soccer starts season with confident win over TCU". Tallahassee Democrat.
  13. ↑ information, FSU sports. "FSU women's soccer falls 3-2 in overtime at No. 5 Southern Cal". Tallahassee Democrat.
  14. ↑ Weiler, Curt. "Jenna Nighswonger's brace lifts No. 6 FSU past No. 24 Colorado in overtime". Tallahassee Democrat.
  15. ↑ "Santa Clara tops Florida State in shootout to win second NCAA title". The Equalizer. May 17, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Santa Clara, Marshall pull off upsets to win NCAA soccer championships". The Athletic . May 17, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  21. ↑ 51' | JENNA WITH THE OLIMPICO!!!!. Twitter . Florida State Seminoles. September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  22. ↑ @TomahawkNation (September 17, 2022). "#FSU athletics had two @SportsCenter top ten moments yesterday — the Tate Rodemaker to Johnny Wilson touchdown connection, and this amazing goal by Jenna Nighswonger" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2023– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "ACC CHAMPIONS!!! FSU Three Peats With a 2–1 Over UNC" (Press release). Florida State Seminoles. November 6, 2022.
  24. ↑ "2022 women's soccer MAC Hermann Trophy finalists announced" (Press release). NCAA. December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. ↑ Nighswonger, Jenna (November 1, 2022). "Watch: Florida State women's soccer senior Jenna Nighswonger speaks ahead of ACC tournament". Tallahassee Democrat (Interview). Interviewed by Ehsan Kassim. Seminole Soccer Complex . Retrieved April 20, 2023. I'm obviously looking to play professional. It's just deciding which country I want to go to. Right now I'm leaning more towards going somewhere in Europe, but just figuring my life out these next two months so that I'm off playing somewhere in January. ... I did think about possibly coming back for my COVID year, but I just felt like it was time for me to move on and try a new challenge.
  26. ↑ "Jenna Nighswonger: A 'Nole like no other". FSU News. USA Today. November 6, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  28. ↑ Carlisle, André (January 11, 2023). "NWSL MOCK DRAFT 2023 2.0: JENNA NIGHSWONGER SHAKES THINGS UP". Gaming Society. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  29. ↑ Lindsey, Lori (January 13, 2023). 2023 NWSL Draft: NY/NJ Gotham FC Select Jenna Nighswonger No. 4 Overall. CBS Sports . Event occurs at 0:34. Retrieved April 20, 2023. I think she's (Nighswonger) the best attacking midfielder in this class, available.
  30. ↑ Kassim, Ehsan (January 12, 2023). "Emily Madril, Jenna Nighswonger and Clara Robbins selected in first round of 2023 NWSL Draft". Tallahassee Democrat . Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  31. ↑ Anderson, Jason (March 22, 2023). "The NWSL newcomers you need to know for 2023". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today . Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  32. ↑ FC, Gotham (March 17, 2023). "Gotham FC Signs 2023 Fourth Overall NWSL Draft Pick Jenna Nighswonger". NJ/NY Gotham FC.
  33. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (March 27, 2023). "Kassouf: The NWSL's VAR era makes its Hollywood debut". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Jenna Nighswonger on adapting to fullback with NJ/NY Gotham: 'I just like to play my position more attacking'". CBSSports.com. November 3, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Why 3 standout players are a good sign for the USWNT's attack". Just Women's Sports. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Jenna Nighswonger All Competitions Stats, Goals, Records". FBref.com. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  37. 1 2 "NJ/NY Gotham FC Defender/Midfielder Jenna Nighswonger Named May Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
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  40. 1 2 "Creighton's McGuire, Duke's Cooper win Hermann Trophy". The Seattle Times . Associated Press. January 6, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  42. ↑ Woitalla, Mike (April 11, 2018). "Youth: U.S. U-18 women beat and tie the Swiss (highlights)". Soccer America . Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  43. ↑ "U.S. UNDER-23 WOMEN'S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS INDIA 4-1 IN FIRST OF TWO MATCHES IN SWEDEN" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. June 26, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  45. ↑ "U.S. Women's National Soccer Team". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  46. ↑ "USWNT vs. Dominican Republic: Starting XI & Lineup Notes | 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup".
  47. ↑ "Gotham FC Player Profile: Jenna Nighswonger" (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  48. ↑ Crabtree, Jeremy (October 20, 2022). "Florida State soccer star Jenna Nighswonger donates NIL proceeds to breast cancer research". On3.
  49. ↑ "Horan the hero as USA down Brazil to win W Gold Cup crown". CONCACAF.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  50. ↑ "2024 Shebelieves Cup final USWNT vs Canada result". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
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