Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Helen McGinnis / Wake Forest Athletics
Zara Chavoshi Signs Pro Contract With the Orlando Pride
1/13/2025 3:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The four-year defender recently led the Wake Forest backline to one of the best defensive seasons in program history.
ORLANDO -- Zara Chavoshi, an All-American defender for Wake Forest women's soccer, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Orlando Pride, the club announced today. Chavoshi became the first player the Pride have signed directly out of college, since the league's removal of the NWSL Draft.
Chavoshi was a four-year starter, making 70 starts in 74 collegiate appearances. The Potomac, Md.-native logged 6,341 career minutes on a Wake Forest backline that set multiple program records and was among the best in not only the ACC, but the nation.
This past season, she helped the Demon Deacons reach the National Championship match for the first time in program history. In addition to posting the best goals-against average in the conference, the Wake Forest defense only conceded seven goals during ACC play, the fewest in the conference as well as the second-most clean sheets with five. She led the team with 2,152 minutes on the pitch last season and was the only player on the back line to have started every game.
Her exceptional 2024 season saw her named Second-Team All-ACC, Fourth-Team All-American and was ranked the No. 20 player nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
Her junior year, Chavoshi appeared in 15 matches and started 14, including a stint 12-consecutive matches where she went the full 90 minutes. In the home finale against Louisville, Chavoshi scored the lone goal in the victory with a free kick in the 29th minute. That season, she played a major role in the program-record for fewest goals allowed at just 15. The team also finished third in the ACC in shutout percentage (.500) and fourth in goals-against average (.833).
"Zara is a quality defender and someone we can expect to provide depth and additional competition to our backline this year," VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said. "She has provided stability and high-level defending to the Deacon's backline throughout her collegiate career, and we are excited to help her grow at the next level. We are looking forward to providing her with the tools she needs to continue to develop her game and make an impact in this league and for our Club."
Orlando recently won its first-ever NWSL Championship back in November, defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the championship match. The club also ended the season as the NWSL Shield Winners, becoming the first team since 2019 to complete the double.
Chavoshi was a four-year starter, making 70 starts in 74 collegiate appearances. The Potomac, Md.-native logged 6,341 career minutes on a Wake Forest backline that set multiple program records and was among the best in not only the ACC, but the nation.
This past season, she helped the Demon Deacons reach the National Championship match for the first time in program history. In addition to posting the best goals-against average in the conference, the Wake Forest defense only conceded seven goals during ACC play, the fewest in the conference as well as the second-most clean sheets with five. She led the team with 2,152 minutes on the pitch last season and was the only player on the back line to have started every game.
Her exceptional 2024 season saw her named Second-Team All-ACC, Fourth-Team All-American and was ranked the No. 20 player nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
Her junior year, Chavoshi appeared in 15 matches and started 14, including a stint 12-consecutive matches where she went the full 90 minutes. In the home finale against Louisville, Chavoshi scored the lone goal in the victory with a free kick in the 29th minute. That season, she played a major role in the program-record for fewest goals allowed at just 15. The team also finished third in the ACC in shutout percentage (.500) and fourth in goals-against average (.833).
"Zara is a quality defender and someone we can expect to provide depth and additional competition to our backline this year," VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said. "She has provided stability and high-level defending to the Deacon's backline throughout her collegiate career, and we are excited to help her grow at the next level. We are looking forward to providing her with the tools she needs to continue to develop her game and make an impact in this league and for our Club."
Orlando recently won its first-ever NWSL Championship back in November, defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the championship match. The club also ended the season as the NWSL Shield Winners, becoming the first team since 2019 to complete the double.
Players Mentioned
Defender
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