Godfrey extends contract with Wave FC following breakout rookie season
SAN DIEGO (Oct. 15, 2026) – San Diego Wave FC announced today that the club has signed midfielder Lia Godfrey to a three-year contract extension through 2029.
“Lia has made an immediate impact in her first professional season, demonstrating her ability to not only compete but excel at this level,” said Camille Ashton, San Diego Wave FC General Manager and Sporting Director. “She has been a key to our success this season, and we’re excited to continue supporting her development as she remains an important part of this club moving forward.”
Godfrey signed her first professional contract with San Diego Wave FC on Dec. 30, 2025, following an accomplished collegiate career at the University of Virginia. She originally signed a two-year contract through 2027 before making her professional debut as a 64th-minute substitute in the Wave’s season opener against the Houston Dash on March 14, 2026.
Since making her debut, Godfrey has scored six goals and recorded five assists in 27 appearances, including 19 starts. Her six goals this season are tied for the second most among NWSL rookies, while her five assists make her just the fifth rookie in league history to record at least five assists in a single season. In just her second professional appearance on March 22, she scored her first professional goal, netting the game-winner in the 87th minute against Utah Royals FC to secure San Diego’s first victory of the season.
Godfrey went on to score in three consecutive matches against Utah Royals FC (March 22), Portland Thorns FC (March 25) and Chicago Stars FC (March 28), a stretch that earned her NWSL Rookie of the Month honors and a spot in the NWSL Best XI for March.
The midfielder continued her strong start in April, adding a goal and an assist in San Diego’s 3-2 comeback victory over Denver Summit FC on April 25. Her fifth goal of the season came against the Washington Spirit on Aug. 2, marking her fourth game-winning goal and setting a new single-season club record. Most recently, Godfrey scored her sixth goal of the season in San Diego’s 2-1 road victory over Orlando Pride on Oct. 2, helping the Wave secure a berth in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs.
Godfrey joined the Wave following a standout collegiate career at the University of Virginia from 2020 to 2025. She earned United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America honors four times across her career in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025. In her final season, she was selected as a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and named ACC Midfielder of the Year. Across her time with the Cavaliers, Godfrey made 107 appearances, including 101 starts, totaling 28 goals and 33 assists. Her 33 assists ranked third among all active NCAA Division I players in 2025 and seventh all-time in Virginia program history.
Transaction: San Diego Wave FC signs midfielder Lia Godfrey to a three-year contract extension through 2029.
Name: Lia Godfrey
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’4”
Birthdate: Nov. 8, 2001
Age: 24
Hometown: Fleming Island, Fla.
Citizenship: United States
ABOUT SAN DIEGO WAVE FC
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club was founded in 2021 and competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Wave quickly established itself as one of the world’s premier clubs, making history by breaking the NWSL’s single-game attendance record and reaching the playoffs in its inaugural season. The club has continued to set new milestones, ranking #2 globally in women’s soccer attendance in 2024. Dedicated to excellence on the field and meaningful impact off it, the Wave fosters strong connections within the San Diego community under the leadership of the Leichtman Levine Family. Wave FC plays its home matches at the state-of-the-art Snapdragon Stadium. For more information, visit sandiegowavefc.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Sam Legg
Director of Communications
San Diego Wave FC
[email protected]
