In Vanderbilt soccer history, seven former student-athletes have been drafted in the NWSL or signed to a professional team. At least one Commodore has been selected in each of the last four drafts.
SIMONE CHARLEY
Simone Charley went unselected in the 2018 NWSL Draft but landed a spot on the Portland Thorns FC practice squad. Her hard work paid off with a professional contract with Portland in 2019 where she earned regular playing time over two seasons before being traded to Angel City FC in December 2021. Charley made 20 appearances with 10 starts for Angel City in 2022. Simone missed the 2023 season with Angel City due to injury. Ahead of the 2024 season, Charley signed with Orlando Pride as a free agent.
Charley was a standout two-sport athlete at Vanderbilt from 2013-17. A four-time All-SEC selection on the soccer pitch, Charley was also a three-time All-American on the track & field team.
MYRA KONTE – 30th overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft to NC Courage
Myra Konte became Vanderbilt’s first NWSL draftee when her named was called 30th overall in the 2021 draft.
Konte was an anchor on Vanderbilt’s defense during her time in Music City. She helped lead the Commodores to the 2020 SEC title, earning tournament MVP honors in the process. She also earned all-region honors following her senior season and as a freshman was named All-SEC in 2017.
MADDIE ELWELL – 15th overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft to Washington Spirit
Maddie Elwell enjoyed an impressive five-year career for the Black & Gold before being drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit.
Elwell scored 12 goals and assisted on another 29 for the Commodores in her five seasons in Nashville. Elwell also earned Second Team All-SEC honors in each of her final three seasons at Vanderbilt.
HALEY HOPKINS – 11TH OVERALL IN THE 2023 NWSL DRAFT TO THE NC COURAGE
Haley Hopkins was the No. 11 overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, going to the North Carolina Courage.
Hopkins played four seasons at Vandy before finishing her collegiate career with two seasons at Virginia. While a Commodore, Hopkins was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-SEC and All-Southeast Region selection.
ELLA SHAMBURGER – 38TH PICK OF THE 2023 NWSL DRAFT TO THE KC CURRENT
The Atlanta, Georgia, native was a staple on Vanderbilt’s defense for five seasons en route to becoming one of the most decorated and experienced student-athletes in program history. She is the first four-time all-region recipient at Vanderbilt and totaled 97 starts and nearly 9,000 minutes on the pitch.
She contributed to 40 career clean sheets and scored five goals with seven assists. Vanderbilt went to four NCAA Tournaments and were 2020 SEC Tournament champions during Shamburger’s time at Vandy. Shamburger earned All-SEC recognition for the third time in her fifth and final season in 2022 while leading the Commodores to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
ALEX KERR – 50TH PICK OF THE 2024 NWSL DRAFT TO ORLANDO PRIDE
Alex Kerr spent four seasons at Vanderbilt before transferring to Texas Tech for her final season of eligibility. Kerr was apart of the Commodores SEC tournament championship team and the team that won a divisional title. As a Commodore, the forward made 63 total appearances and 26 starts. She tallied 12 goals and four assists, good for 28 career points.
During the 2019 campaign, Kerr helped lead the Commodores to a SEC Eastern Division championship, setting up Vandy for an NCAA Tournament berth. She went on to appear in the NCAA Tournament in three of her four season in the gold and black. As a senior, Kerr appeared in all 21 contests and scored the second-most goals on the squad. She posted a career-high six goals and an assist, en route to 13 points.
MAYA ANTOINE – IFK Norrköping
Maya totaled 69 career starts with 83 appearances totaling more than 6,100 minutes in five years in black and gold. She anchored Vanderbilt’s defense and helped the Dores to nine shutouts during 2023 for the second straight season.
The Vaughan, Ontario native signed her first professional contract with IFK Norrköping in Sweden in February of 2024.
