Sentnor is top overall pick in NWSL draft
Ally Sentnor ‘21 added one more accomplishment to her incredible soccer career when she was selected first overall in the draft of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
“It’s such a wonderful testament to our girls soccer program to not only have Ally selected for the National Women’s Soccer League but also to be its first overall draft pick of 2024,” said Thayer Athletic Director Bobbi Moran. “While our time at Thayer did not overlap, it’s my understanding that Ally played a key role in the Thayer girls varsity soccer team’s first-ever NEPSAC Championship in 2017.
“Ally is a great ambassador for Thayer, and we wish her the very best in this next chapter of her soccer career. I know she will continue to make all of us very proud.”
Sentnor played varsity during her 8th and 9th grade years at Thayer, and she was one of the most dominant players in the league. She was ISL All-League in both 2017 and 2018; she was NEPSAC All-League in both 2017 and 2018; and she played an impactful role not only in that 2017 championship run but also the following season when the Thayer girls were NEPSAC runner-ups.
Utah Royals FC chose Sentnor just minutes into the four-round draft, which was held Jan. 12 during the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, California. A press release announcing the team’s picks called the University of North Carolina midfielder/forward “one of the top attacking talents in the nation.” This past season as a redshirt sophomore at UNC, Sentnor was named First Team All-ACC and also earned ACC Midfielder of the Year honors.
In addition to her collegiate success, Sentnor has experience on national teams and was a 2023 Chipotle US Soccer Young Female Player of the Year nominee.
The NWSL is a professional women’s soccer league with 14 teams. Utah Royals FC begins its season March 16 when it hosts the Chicago Red Stars at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.
WCVB-TV recently highlighted the Hanson native and her lifelong love of soccer.