The Houston Dash selected forwards Joelle Anderson and Makamae Gomera-Stevens inthe 2021 NWSL Draft earlier today. The team picked Anderson with the 6th pick in Round 3 (26th overall) and took Gomera-Stevens with the 7th pick in Round 3 (27th overall).
“These are two players that we had anticipated going much higher, so for them to still be around at this stage is really exciting for us because we feel we’ve managed to get two outstanding picks out of this draft,” said Dash Head Coach James Clarkson. “We’ve spoken to them, and they’re thrilled that we’ve drafted them. We think they can really add depth in the midfield and in the forward lines, so we’re excited.”
Anderson has spent three seasons at Pepperdine University, scoring 21 goals and tallying 13 assists for the Waves and starting in 40 of 55 appearances. The San Jose, California native was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First-Team and All WCC first team in 2019 and earned WCC All-Academic and WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “bronze” honorable mentions. As a freshman, Anderson made the Top-Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI Second Team.
Gomera-Stevens has started in 52 of 64 appearances at Washington State University and scored nine goals, four of which were game-winners, while providing eight assists. The Kapolei, Hawaii native became the first player in Cougars history to be called in to a U.S. Women’s Senior National Team Camp in December of 2019.
Both draftees bring experience in the U.S. Women’s National Team system to the team, as Anderson was invited to the U.S. U-19 National team camp in February in 2018.
Anderson and Gomera-Stevens each plan to finish their collegiate career through the 2021 NCAA season. The Dash have 23 players on their active roster ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.
