The* Houston Dash drafted forward Ryan Gareis* from the University of South Carolina earlier today with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
“We didn’t actually think she would be anywhere near for us to get her,” Dash head coach James Clarkson said. “She plays wide, takes people on and we like her left foot. We think she will fit in with how we play and how we want to play, she adds depth and we’re excited to have her join the team.”
Gareis appeared in 99 matches throughout her career with the Gamecocks, starting 70 matches. The left-footed forward also tallied four goals and nine assists during her final season with South Carolina.
The 23-year-old earned multiple accolades in her five seasons in the Southeastern Conference, including being named SEC Offensive Player of the Week twice and being named to the All-Freshman Team in 2017. The fifth-year senior is second in the USC record books with shots on goal percentage.
Earlier today, the Dash traded the No. 21 overall pick and $15,000 in Allocation Money to OL Reign in exchange for midfielder Kelcie Hedge.
The Dash will begin preseason on Feb. 1 and the NWSL Challenge Cup, the first competition of the year, is slated to begin on March 19. More details regarding the 2022 NWSL regular season will be released at a later date.
