PHILADELPHIA – Portland Thorns FC selected midfielders Sandra Yu (No. 8 overall) from Notre Dame and Gabby Seiler from the University of Florida (No. 9 overall) in the first round and goalkeeper Bella Geist (No. 29) from Oregon State in the third round of the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft held in Philadelphia, Penn.
Yu, 23, appeared in 63 matches (all starts), recording 13 goals and seven assists in three seasons with the Fighting Irish. As a fifth-year senior in 2017, Yu started all 22 matches for Notre Dame, garnering United Soccer Coaches third-team All-American accolades, first-team All-East Region recognition and first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors with eight goals and five assists. Yu also earned third-team All-ACC recognition in 2016 and was as team captain in each of her final two seasons. At the U.S. youth international level, Yu was called into camp with the U.S. U-23s in 2016 and 2017 and the U-20s in 2013, while also appearing in camp at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-18 level.
Seiler, 23, wrapped up her collegiate career playing her final two seasons (2016-17) at Florida after two seasons at the University of Georgia (2013-14). For the Gators, Seiler played in 46 games (all starts), tallying seven goals and 10 assists. As a senior, Seiler was named United Soccer Coaches third-team All-American and first-team All-Southeast Region. A first-team All-South Eastern Conference pick in 2017, Seiler was a team captain, scoring six goals and adding eight assists. In four collegiate seasons, Seiler appeared in 86 matches (all starts), registering 17 goals and 21 assists, earning first-team All-South Region accolades in 2016 and second team recognition in 2014. Additionally, as a U.S. youth international, Seiler was called into camp with the U-23s, U-19s and U-18s.
Geist, 22, was selected after Portland traded its natural 2019 third-round draft pick to the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the No. 29 overall pick. A four-year starter for Oregon State, Geist appeared in 72 games, recording 392 saves with a .778 save percentage and 18 shutouts. During her senior campaign, Geist played in 17 matches (16 starts), logging 97 saves, a .782 save percentage and six shutouts.
Sandra Yu
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-4
Born: Nov. 5, 1994
Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio
College: Notre Dame
Gabby Seiler
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-5
Born: Sept. 14, 1994
Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga.
College: University of Florida
Bella Geist
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-0
Born: Nov. 20, 1995
Hometown: Milwaukie, Ore.
College: Oregon State
