HARRISON, NJ (Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023) – Awards season has arrived in the National Women’s Soccer League and Gotham FC’s Jenna Nighswonger has a strong case for NWSL Rookie of the Year. Nighswonger was a first-round NWSL Draft pick, and from Day 1, the rookie sensation has been exactly that – sensational.  

Fans can vote HERE for Nighswonger for NWSL Rookie of the Year as well as other 2023 NWSL awards.

Nighswonger’s stats and accolades are staggering: 

• 2x NWSL Rookie of the Month (May, June) 
• 3x NWSL Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard (May, July, August) 
• UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI All-Tournament Team (September) 
• Nighswonger is the only rookie to earn as many NWSL league honors this season.  

She made her professional debut as a first-half substitute in the season opener for none other than captain Ali Krieger, converting from star college forward into a stronghold defender in her first-ever Gotham FC appearance, earning the second-most starts on the team – behind only forward Lynn Williams. Nighswonger has also played the most minutes of any Gotham FC player this season.  

Below is a list of notable stats and accolades.  

SIX NWSL AWARDS WON 

*Note: Nighswonger has won more league awards than any other rookie this NWSL season 

• NWSL Rookie of the Month (May) 
• NWSL Rookie of the Month (June) 
• NWSL Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard (May) 
• NWSL Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard (July) 
• NWSL Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard (August) 
• UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team 

35 TACKLES WON 

• Most by any Gotham FC player 
• Most by any NWSL rookie 
• Third among all NWSL defenders 
• Seventh in all of NWSL 

22 SHOTS TAKEN 

• Second among all NWSL defenders 
• First among rookie defenders 

10 SHOTS ON GOAL 

• First among rookie defenders 
• Third among all NWSL defenders 
• Tied for third on Gotham FC with Yazmeem Ryan, behind only Midge Purce and Lynn Williams  

13 CORNER KICKS WON 

• First among rookie defenders 
• Third among all NWSL rookies 

THREE GOALS SCORED 

• First among rookie defenders 
• Tied for second among all NWSL defenders 

SEVEN GOALS CONTRIBUTED

• First among defenders across all competitions in 2023

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