ANAHEIM, CA. – University of Georgia graduate midfielder Croix Bethune was selected by Washington Spirit with the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft Friday evening at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Bethune became only the third Georgia player selected in the NWSL College Draft and the highest selection in program history, following Ashley Baker, who was selected 20th by Sky Blue FC in 2013, and Kayla Bruster, who went 40th overall to San Diego Wave FC in 2022. Goalkeeper Michelle Betos was chosen in the fifth round of the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft by Seattle Reign FC.
The Alpharetta native also became only the fourth Southeastern Conference player drafted in the top five of the NWSL Draft and the highest since Florida’s Christen Westphal went third in the 2016 draft. She was also the 16th player coached by Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine to be drafted, including his tenures at Washington State and USC. It is also the fourth-consecutive year in which a McAlpine product has been drafted in the NWSL top 10 and tied USC’s Morgan Andrews (2017) for the highest drafted of his players.
Atlanta United secures victory over Inter Miami in historic MLS Playoff Upset
Bethune concluded her prolific collegiate career with one season at Georgia, following four years at USC. In her lone season in Athens, she earned United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team and All-Southeast Region First Team honors as she led the Bulldogs to a 13-4-6 record and the first SEC Tournament final in program history. Despite only playing in 15 matches, she ranked second on the team in assists and third in points, scoring or assisting on goals in five of the Bulldogs’ six postseason matches. After scoring an equalizer against Kentucky and a last-minute winner against Texas A&M in Pensacola, she was named SEC Tournament MVP.
Prior to joining Georgia, Bethune played four seasons at USC, twice earning First Team All-America and Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year accolades, along with being a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2021. She finished her Trojans career ranked seventh all-time in points, goals, and assists. Along with her collegiate accolades, she has been a member of the United States Women’s National Team system since age 13, reaching the preliminary roster for the 2022 Concacaf W Championships.
Photo/GeorgiaSportsCommunications
