Brown, Menta Selected in 2021 NWSL Draft
12/18/2021 6:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Wake Forest is one of nine schools to have multiple picks in this year's draft.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest women's soccer saw two players drafted in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Saturday night.
Ryanne Brown was drafted 21st overall by OL Reign, while Jenna Menta was drafted 30th overall by the Racing Louisville.
Wake Forest is joined by Stanford, USC, UCLA, Washington State, Duke, Santa Clara, Georgetown and Purdue as the only schools to have multiple picks in this year's draft. The Demon Deacons have had six players drafted in the last three years and eight overall.
Ryanne Brown | Defender/Forward | OL Reign | Round 2, Pick 21
Brown will join former Demon Deacon player Madison Hammond (2016-19) in Tacoma, Washington. Brown, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, has appeared in 82 games over the past five seasons and has started 57 of those matches. Brown is responsible for 29 points, eight goals along with 13 assists. Overall, the fifth year has totaled over 5,700 minutes of action in the Old Gold and Black.
"I'm super thankful to OL Reign for believing in me. And I'm excited for the opportunity to grow and develop as a player in the NWSL. I'm also excited to play with Madison Hammond again! I can't wait to get to Seattle and get to work!," said Brown.
Jenna Menta | Forward | Racing Louisville | Round 3, Pick 30
The forward, from Somer, New York, has scored six goals through her one season with the Demon Deacons while adding seven assists for 19 points. Menta's team high seven assists ranks her seventh for most assists in a single season in Wake Forest history.
At Georgetown, she appeared in 76 games and started 25 of those games. Menta recorded 38 points on 10 goals and 18 assists.
"Thank you Racing Louisville, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to continue my soccer career professionally. Being able to compete at the highest level with the best women's soccer players in the world is the greatest honor. And thank you to my coaches, family, and friends who have supported me throughout my career. Excited to get started!", said Menta.
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"Ryanne Brown and Jenna Menta have worked all their lives for this moment."
"Ryanne (Brown) showed incredible versatility in her career and was a rock star this season at right back."
"Jenna (Menta) was a force up front for us, adapting to a new team, new league is not easy and Jenna made a seamless transition."
"I'm so proud of Ryanne (Brown) and Jenna (Menta) for their excellence on the field and in the classroom. I wish them the best on this new journey as professionals. "
Wake Forest NWSL Draft History
2013
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Ryanne Brown was drafted 21st overall by OL Reign, while Jenna Menta was drafted 30th overall by the Racing Louisville.
Wake Forest is joined by Stanford, USC, UCLA, Washington State, Duke, Santa Clara, Georgetown and Purdue as the only schools to have multiple picks in this year's draft. The Demon Deacons have had six players drafted in the last three years and eight overall.
Ryanne Brown | Defender/Forward | OL Reign | Round 2, Pick 21
Brown will join former Demon Deacon player Madison Hammond (2016-19) in Tacoma, Washington. Brown, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, has appeared in 82 games over the past five seasons and has started 57 of those matches. Brown is responsible for 29 points, eight goals along with 13 assists. Overall, the fifth year has totaled over 5,700 minutes of action in the Old Gold and Black.
"I'm super thankful to OL Reign for believing in me. And I'm excited for the opportunity to grow and develop as a player in the NWSL. I'm also excited to play with Madison Hammond again! I can't wait to get to Seattle and get to work!," said Brown.
Jenna Menta | Forward | Racing Louisville | Round 3, Pick 30
The forward, from Somer, New York, has scored six goals through her one season with the Demon Deacons while adding seven assists for 19 points. Menta's team high seven assists ranks her seventh for most assists in a single season in Wake Forest history.
At Georgetown, she appeared in 76 games and started 25 of those games. Menta recorded 38 points on 10 goals and 18 assists.
"Thank you Racing Louisville, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to continue my soccer career professionally. Being able to compete at the highest level with the best women's soccer players in the world is the greatest honor. And thank you to my coaches, family, and friends who have supported me throughout my career. Excited to get started!", said Menta.
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"Ryanne Brown and Jenna Menta have worked all their lives for this moment."
"Ryanne (Brown) showed incredible versatility in her career and was a rock star this season at right back."
"Jenna (Menta) was a force up front for us, adapting to a new team, new league is not easy and Jenna made a seamless transition."
"I'm so proud of Ryanne (Brown) and Jenna (Menta) for their excellence on the field and in the classroom. I wish them the best on this new journey as professionals. "
Wake Forest NWSL Draft History
2013
- Kristen Meier, Seattle Reign / Round 3 / Pick 23
- Jackie Logue, WNY Flash / Round 4 / Pick 30
- Ally Haran, Seattle Reign / Round 3 / Pick 25
- Maddie Huster, Washington Spirit / Round 3 / Pick 26
- Bayley Feist, Washington Spirit / Round 2 / Pick17
- Hannah Betfort, Portland Thorns / Round 4 / Pick 37
- Ryanne Brown, OL Reign / Round 2 / Pick 21
- Jenna Menta, Racing Louisville / Round 3 / Pick 30
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Players Mentioned
Defender
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Forward
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Forward
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