Colohan drafted 14th overall by Western New York Flash

PHILADELPHIA - BYU senior midfielder Cloee Colohan was selected by the Western New York Flash with the 14th overall pick in the NWSL Draft on Friday morning. In her two seasons at BYU after transferring from the University of Portland, Colohan scored 11 goals and made seven assists while she started in every game.

"I'm pumped," Colohan said. "I'm so excited to get to go to New York and play with Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd."

The Western New York Flash lost in the inaugural NWSL championship game to the Portland Thorns 2-0 last season. The team includes US Women's National Team members Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd and Mexico Women's National Team member Veronica Perez. Colohan will join the Flash along with their other draft picks Stanford's Courtney Verloo (9th overall), Florida State's Kelsy Wys (18th), Virginia's Annie Steinlage (30) and Denver's Kristen Hamilton (36).

Playing in the second year of the NWSL wasn't a foregone conclusion, but Colohan "just wanted to be all in. I got everyone's input and made my own decision." She didn't hear from any teams until Thursday, so the draft was a bit of a surprise.

"This is such an amazing opportunity for Cloee," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "She has played such a vital role in our program's success the past couple years and has prepared well for this moment. I know that she will be able to contribute to her new team both on and off the field. We wish her all the best as she begins a new and exciting journey."

Colohan is the second Cougar to be drafted by the NWSL in its first two years of existence after Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall was drafted fourth overall last year by Sky Blue FC. The West Coast Conference had five players taken in the four rounds of the NWSL Draft. They included Santa Clara's Julie Johnston and Morgan Marlborough, Portland's Amanda Frisbie and Ellen Parker and Pepperdine's Michelle Pao.