Transaction:
NJ/NY Gotham FC selects Florida State University Midfield/Forward Jenna Nighswonger with the 4th pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Exclusive Quote:
We reached out to FSU Head Coach Brian Pensky to find out what type of player/person Gotham FC were getting with Jenna Nighswonger.
"Jenna's soccer brain is terrific. Her ability to deliver a final pass, and accurate set pieces differentiate her as a player. Jenna showed her leadership skills this fall, helping to guide our team through a challenging transition. Managing her team while also succeeding on the field at a very high level is a testament to what she is all about. Needless to say, Jenna has a long career ahead of her."
About:
Highly decorated 5'4 left footed attacking midfielder from Huntington Beach, California. Member of the U14, U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U23 U.S. National Team. Mac Herman trophy finalist and 2021 National champion with FSU. Finished her career at Florida State with 19 goals and 34 assists. Second most career assists in school history. In 2022, Jenna notched 16 assists in 22 games.
A look at some of Jenna's accolades:
Credit FSU Facebook:
Expectations:
Jenna is traditional number ten. Comparisons to Kristie Mewis are warranted. Similar profiles with both possessing high soccer IQ's, great field vision and touch. Both left footed. Jenna could be the missing piece to the puzzle of fixing the disconnect between the lines that plagued Gotham last season. A player that will certainly see minutes when Mewis is away with the national team. A player that Gotham can build around for years to come. Having played at every level of the national team, making her leap to the senior squad may not be that far away.
Highlights:
Jenna shows off her movement and vision around the box and 40 seconds in shows her deadly accuracy.
FSU featurette
Read more: Jenna Tonelli's cover's Gotham FC's draft day for the Equalizer: