USF’s Viens Selected at No. 5 Overall in 2020 NWSL Draft
BALTIMORE, Jan. 16, 2019 – Recent USF graduate
Evelyne Viens was selected fifth in the 2020 NWSL Draft, the highest selection of a women's soccer player in program history. Viens was chosen in the first round of the draft by Sky Blue FC, the NWSL team based out of Harrison, N.J.
"I was just so happy to go to New Jersey and just get back closer to home and have a chance to play in this amazing league," Viens said. "I think I'm going to bring good speed and just be able to create chances for scoring. Scoring goals will be my goal this year and just help the team win. I'm super grateful that USF gave me this opportunity four years ago. Without my teammates and coaches' support, I wouldn't have been here today. I'm excited to represent USF in the next chapter of my career."
Viens is the second-highest draft pick in USF Athletics history, a spot she holds along with Wanda Guyton, who was selected at No. 5 overall in the 1997 WNBA Draft. Softball's
Monica Triner is the highest draft pick in USF history at No. 2 in the 1999 WPSL Draft. Viens is the first opening-round pick by a player from the American Athletic Conference.
"For Ev, it was a great event. We're very excited for her," said head coach
Denise Schilte-Brown. "It's a great organization. Sky Blue is exceptional. Evelyne gets to move a little closer to home. I think it's a win-win for Evelyne and the organization. She earned it. She was one of those kids that came in and got better every year. It was fun to be a part of her growth and evolution and I think the next step in her life will be very exciting to watch."
The Canadian wrapped up her career with USF in 2019, pushing the team to its first appearance in the third round of the NCAA tournament and a program-high 16 wins. Overall, she was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American three times, a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American in her senior year and The American Offensive Player of the Year twice.
Viens scored 25 goals in her senior year, breaking the single-season records for both USF and the American Athletic Conference. The Canadian now holds the top three spots on the program's single-season list. Her 53 points are also a new program record.
Her senior season was also a record-breaker in other areas. She claimed the No. 1 spot on the program's single-season list for shots (113) and game-winning goals (10). At the conference level, she holds the season records for points per game (2.65) and goals per game (1.25).
In her career, Viens finished at USF with 73 goals, 169 points and 360 shots, new all-time USF and AAC records in all three categories. She also broke The American's records for points per game (2.19), goals per game (0.95) and shots per game (4.68).
Viens was named AAC Offensive Player of the Week six times in 2019, a new conference high. Overall, the L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, native was given weekly awards 15 times overall and 11 times for offensive abilities, both also conference highs.
On the national level, Viens finished her career as one of two active players with at least 50 goals and 20 assists.
Sky Blue FC was founded in 2007 and transitioned to the NWSL in 2013. The team plays matches in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
About USF Women's Soccer
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The USF women's soccer team has posted eight consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and nine in the last 10 years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
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