Tziarra King and Phoebe McClernon drafted in NWSL College Draft

Sicklerville, N.J. native Tziarra King became the first NC State player to be selected in the NWSL College Draft when she was picked eighth overall in the draft by the Utah Royals on Thursday.

The Winslow Township High School grad finished third all-time in career starts (88) and goals (48) for the Wolfpack while adding 19 assists. Prior to college, she played for the Winslow Tigers and Princeton Soccer Association as well as for her high school.

She recently earned her degree in nutrition science from NC State with a 4.0 grade point average.

“Wow, there aren’t enough thank yous in the world honestly for everybody who’s helped me get here,” she said after taking the podium at the Baltimore Convention Center.

King was one of two players from the Philadelphia area selected in the draft. West Chester, Pa. native Phoebe McClernon was drafted 14th overall in the second round by the Orlando Pride.

McClernon was a standout defender with the Hoos, making 88 appearances over four seasons in Charlottesville. She graduated high school from Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Radnor Township and played club soccer for Penn Fusion Academy.

For more on Thursday’s draft, visit www.sbnation.com/nwsl-womens-soccer.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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