SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Irish in the Pros continue to grow after two Notre Dame women’s soccer players were selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Both Kiki Van Zanten and Maddie Mercado were taken in the second round. Van Zanten was selected 21st overall by the Houston Dash, while Mercado went 27th overall to the Seattle Reign.
Van Zanten was a First-Team All-ACC selection this past fall as she captained the Irish to a second-place finish in the league and berth to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Van Zanten ranked second on the team in goals with six and third on the team in points with 16.
Last summer, Van Zanten made history with Team Jamaica at the Women’s World Cup, becoming the first Caribbean nation to advance to the Round of 16. Van Zanten even earned a start in the Round of 16 matchup against Colombia.
Mercado garnered a lot of attention in her last year in South Bend, leading the squad in goals (9) and points (20). Mercado finished the season strong, finding the back of the net five times over the last nine games. No one was a bigger threat than scoring outside of the box than Mercado. For all her efforts, she earned Second Team All-ACC recognition.
Lastly, it’s important to note that two-time ACC Defender of the Year Eva Gaetino withdrew her name from the NWSL Draft right before. She is expected to sign a pro contract soon.
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