Putting in countless hours of effort every week, many young athletes put in the work with dreams of going pro one day. Once a year 56 players are drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Former Redhawk, Hannah Anderson, made all her work pay off when she was selected as the 31st pick of the 2024 NWSL draft.
“I have always dreamed of being a professional soccer player,” Anderson said. “I have worked so hard to get to this position and it was so rewarding to be able to hear my name called. The work isn’t done yet though.”
The NWSL draft featured four rounds with 14 picks in each round with the Chicago Redstars drafting the D1 defender out of Texas Tech.
I didn’t have a specific team I wanted to go to. I wanted to go somewhere in the NWSL and was willing to go wherever the opportunity opened for me.
— Anderson
“I was really happy and excited,” Anderson said. “I didn’t have a specific team I wanted to go to. I wanted to go somewhere in the NWSL and was willing to go wherever the opportunity opened for me. I was so thankful for all my coaches, teammates, and my family, especially for supporting me to get here.”
Anderson has a long history with soccer, beginning playing when she was three years old. Scheduled to graduate high school in the spring of 2018, the soccer star graduated a semester early to get a jump start on her college career. There she would spend five years as a center back for the Red Raiders, even being named the best center back of 2023 nationally.
“I would have to say that every aspect of my experience at Texas Tech has impacted me in the best way to prepare for being a professional,” she said. “From leading the team, to showing up for workouts, failing and succeeding, being a good teammate, it all helped shape me into who I am now. I will forever be grateful for every experience and person I met through my journey at Tech.”
Anderson is not only grateful for her experience at Tech, but she also reflects on her time as a Redhawk, and how that impacted her.
Being a good teammate is doing what is asked of you from your teammates and coaches, no questions asked.
— Anderson
“I think [I learned] being a good teammate,” Anderson said. “Being a good teammate is doing what is asked of you from your teammates and coaches, no questions asked.”
The NWSL soccer season officially begins on March 16 with fans being able to watch on Paramount Plus. As she embarks on her professional career, Anderson shares a message to young athletes who dream of becoming where she is today.
“I would say to set attainable goals for yourself in order to reach your bigger goals,” Anderson said. “I would also say that you can control your own destiny, so be driven in what you want to achieve and make it come true.”
