INDIVISA grades the 2024 NWSL rookie class after a monumental season for the league
It was a monumental season for the National Women’s Soccer League, including its rookie class.
Led by Croix Bethune, it’s the last class that will be drafted to the league, as a new Collective Bargaining Agreement eliminated both the college and expansion drafts. Already, teams have begun to sign college players.
But it’s worth looking back at this past season’s rookie class, namely for their contributions. Washington’s rookies led the way, with each one seemingly offering up a contribution en route to the NWSL championship. Thanks to Bethune, who was named Rookie of the Year despite missing the last two months of the season with an MCL injury, their young core promises a bright future for the Spirit. INDIVISA grades the rookie class.
ImagnCroix Bethune: A+
Bethune has the potential to become one of the greatest midfielders in the league. A record-setting season included a league-leading 10 assists – tying the league mark – and becoming the first rookie in league history to have three assists in a single game.
Her 18 goal-creations also tied her for first in the league, alongside Orlando’s Barbra Banda. She made her Olympics debut over the summer with the U.S. women’s national team, winning gold. Bethune told INDIVISA that she wants to build on this year, but noted that her rookie season could be described as both exciting and challenging to build on.
"I'm definetly excited," Bethune said on The INDIVISA Show. "I think I've set the bar pretty high for myself. I'm definitely trying to write some new goals; but the goal for everyone each year should be to make it better than the last one."
AdvertisementImagnWashington Spirit Rookie Class: A+
While Bethune stands alone, the entire Spirit rookie class receives 10+ stars for their efforts this season.
There is no doubt that the club would not have reached the championship final without them. When looking back on the class, they may just be one of the greatest in league history.
Hal Hershfelt, the fifth-overall pick in the 2024 draft, played a massive part of the team’s midfield. She scored in her home debut, just the second game of the season, and became the fifth player in club history to score in their regular season home debut.
An alternate at the Paris Olympics, Hershfelt later made her international debut in October. But before that, she played a key role in getting the club to the NWSL championship, scoring in the 93rd minute of the semifinal to send the club’s game against Gotham to penalties, where they would win in the shootout.
Makenna Morris also had a standout rookie season, logging her first career goal and assist in her first start on July 6. In October, she became just the second rookie in Spirit history to record a brace, and her three game-winning goals this season made her one of just seven players in club history to reach that level.
Others such as Courtney Brown, Heather Stainbrook, and Kate Wiesner all contributed heavily, with the rookie class notching 15 of the team’s 50 goals on the season. All around, not a bad get for Washington.
ImagnAlly Sentnor: A-
The 2024 first-overall pick out of North Carolina, the only knock against Sentnor’s rookie season is that she was playing for the Utah Royals, who finished 11th in the regular season and found themselves with a new coach halfway through the season. Despite that, Sentnor was able to live up to expectations as a starter on the team’s young squad, and made her USWNT debut in early December.
She shined during the Summer Cup in July, recording three goals and an assist during four games, and was named Rookie of the Month for her efforts. She finished the NWSL regular season with three goals and four assists, with those four assists tied for the second-most in a season in Utah history. Later named a finalist for Rookie of the Year, Sentnor’s rookie season was one that she’ll look to grow upon as she continues in the league.
USA TODAY SportsClaire Hutton: A
Teen midfielder Claire Hutton was one of the best rookies to play this season, signing with the Kansas City Current last December through the Under 18 entry mechanism. Her 44 tackles won ranked sixth in the league, and led the Current. She was also one of the club’s best passers, completing 584 – fourth-best for Kansas City.
Hutton has the ability to not only complete passes, but chase other players down – no matter their skill level. She’s great 1v1 and it’s clear that the in-game IQ she possesses is beyond her years. She started in 21 of 24 games as a rookie.
