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After sending the sixth and twenty-fourth overall selections and two players to be named later to Chicago at the 2018 NWSL draft — a reported blockbuster three-team deal that included Sky Blue FC and saw Christen Press, Sam Kerr, Carli Lloyd and Janine Beckie swap destinations — the Houston Dash selected Nebraska midfielder Haley Hanson with the seventh overall pick.
Hanson will have the tough task of replacing Andressinha as Houston’s central midfielder. Following the Brazilian midfielder’s trade, Kristie Mewis, Amber Brooks, and Caity Heap are the only midfielders listed on Houston’s roster. The Dash also drafted Kimberly Keever (No. 12), Veronica Latsko (No. 28), and Sarah Shimer (No. 33) on Thursday.
Congratulations to @hay_hanson for being selected 7th overall in the #NWSLdraft by the @HoustonDash!! #GBR ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/5Iw5avDTOL
— Nebraska Soccer (@NebraskaSoccer) January 18, 2018
Hanson netted a career-high nine goals and tallied four assists in 19 appearances in her senior season at Nebraska. Hanson also earned second-team All-Big Ten and second-team United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region in 2017.
Should probably be playing it cool right now but this is still so unreal!!! To hear my name called is a dream come true. Time to put in more work than ever before, can’t wait for what 2018 will bring https://t.co/k0Rcy6HOHG
— Haley Hanson (@hay_hanson) January 19, 2018
The Overland Park, Kan., native, earned a spot on the United States U-23 squad in November and trained with the team again in early January. Hanson is also the third Nebraska alum to play for the Dash. Houston previously drafted Jordan Jackson in the fourth round of 2014 NWSL College Draft and selected Ari Romero in that same year’s expansion draft.