LSU soccer’s Tinaya Alexander was selected by the Washington Spirit as the No. 14 overall pick (Rd. 2) in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League Draft on Saturday afternoon.
“The NWSL has always been my goal,” Alexander said after being picked. “I always wanted to come to America and play at the highest level. To be here and attain that goal is very exciting and I’m just ecstatic to be here.”
Alexander was the first SEC player to be taken in the 2022 draft which was held virtually and shown on YouTube. A native of Reading, Berkshire, England, Alexander celebrated with friends and family back home in England.
“I think I see myself as a player that is free, and I like to be creative,” Alexander said when describing her game. “I’m here to get the job done. I just like to have fun and win games.”
Alexander arrived at LSU in the summer of 2017 and left her mark on the program. She leaves with the 10th most points in school history (64), goals scored (21), assists (22) – tied for second most in school history – total points (64).
She also finished with seven career game-winning goals, eighth best in school history,
A 2021 All-SEC First Teamer, Alexander had a career year in total points (24), goals (9), and assists (6). Her best performance of the season was a two goal, one assist match against No. 4 Arkansas to close out the regular season. That earned her SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors and it helped LSU clinch a berth to the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
“I’m so happy to have been a part of Tinaya’s journey at LSU,” LSU head coach Sian Hudson said. “We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at the next level and we will be keeping up with her. She’s a special talent and such a good person to have on your team.”
Alexander also added LSWA Player of the Year and United Soccer Coaches Southeast All-Region team honors this fall thanks to her play on the pitch. She scored nine points against Sam Houston in LSU’s second game of the year as she dropped in four goals and an assist. The nine points registered by Alexander in that match were the third most ever by an LSU player in a single game.
Alexander enters a winning culture in Washington where the Spirit claimed the NWSL title last month and went 9-0-3 in games they played during their 2021 campaign. She becomes the second LSU player to ever be selected in the NWSL Draft, joining Alex Arlitt who was selected by FC Kansas City in the fourth round (No. 38 overall).
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