Rookie anchored Wave FC defense through September and October
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 13, 2022)- The National Women’s Soccer League has announced San Diego Wave Fútbol Club defender Naomi Girma as Rookie of the Month for September and October, presented by Ally, as voted by the NWSL Media Association. Additionally, for the fourth time this season, the rookie was named to the NWSL Best XI, presented by Mastercard.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, Girma has shown veteran-like qualities all season for the third-place San Diego. Girma has played every available minute this season, tallying 19 games, 19 starts and 1710 minutes played.
In the month of September, the defender played four matches, recording four starts and 360 minutes played. Girma represented Wave FC as the captain for the first time on Sept. 30th against NC Courage, leading San Diego to a clean sheet and a third-place finish in the 2022 NWSL Regular Season.
The San Jose native anchored a Wave defense en route to a 1-1-2 record (4 points), clinching a playoff spot as the first expansion team to ever reach this feat in NWSL history. Girma had an 82 percent passing accuracy, with 20 clearances, 5 blocks and 2 interceptions in September. Her impressive month went beyond the NWSL, as Girma appeared for the USWNT in their friendly against Nigeria in Washington D.C. on Sept. 6th, helping the stars and stripes to a 2-1 win. The center defender also made a start for the USA at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 7th in a friendly against England.
San Diego Wave FC looks to become the first expansion franchise to win the NWSL Championship in their inaugural campaign when they face No. 6 seed Chicago in the quarterfinals Sunday, October 16 at Snapdragon Stadium. The match, set for a 10 p.m. ET kickoff, will air live on CBS Sports Network and internationally on the NWSL’s Twitch channel.
After selling out Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17, with 32,000 fans, the club looks to pack out the stadium again with tickets for Oct. 16 on sale now.
The NWSL Rookie of the Month presented by Ally is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.
CHEER US ON IN THE PLAYOFFS AT SNAPDRAGON STADIUM!
About San Diego Wave Fútbol Club
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club is the 12th and newest member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club’s vision is to be a force for good through the game of football and is led by President Jill Ellis, former head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) and two-time World Cup champion. Together with Head Coach Casey Stoney, the club will bring the highest level of world-class, professional soccer to San Diego. USWNT standouts Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper were two of the first players signed to the club that consists of athletes representing six international soccer federations, including US, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, England and Australia. The team played the first 11 home games in the 2022 inaugural season at its temporary home, University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium. Wave FC opened the new Snapdragon Stadium on Sept. 17 with an NWSL record-breaking sellout of 32,000 fans. Learn more about the club and players at www.SanDiegoWaveFC.com.
