By Sebastian Quiroz-Gutierrez – @SebastianQuir0z
When the San Diego Wave announced the retirement of Alex Morgan’s No. 13 jersey, it marked another milestone for one of the most iconic players in U.S. women’s soccer. Morgan joins a small but significant group of NWSL players who have been honored with jersey retirements — tributes that recognize their impact at the professional level. But before these stars became household names, they each built a foundation at the college level. College Soccer News takes a look back at their collegiate accomplishments — a reminder of how college soccer continues to shape the future of the game.
Alex Morgan (California) – San Diego Wave FC, No. 13
At the University of California, Berkeley, Alex Morgan consistently delivered as the Golden Bears’ top scorer, finishing her career tied for third all-time in goals (45) and third in points (107). A four-time All-Pac-10 selection, she earned First Team All-American honors in 2010, was a two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist, and became the first Cal player to be named a top-three finalist. Morgan was also a Honda Award finalist, led the Bears in scoring each season, and guided them to the NCAA Tournament all four years. She graduated early with a degree in political economy while earning Pac-10 All-Academic honors.
Megan Rapinoe (Portland) – Seattle Reign FC, No. 15
Few players made a quicker impression at the University of Portland than Megan Rapinoe, who helped the Pilots capture the 2005 NCAA Championship during her freshman season. She went on to record 30 goals and 28 assists in just 50 matches, earning recognition as the 2005 Soccer Times National Freshman of the Year, a two-time First Team All-American, and the 2008 WCC Player of the Year.
Rapinoe was also a three-time All-Region pick and capped her career as the 2009 University of Portland Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Lauren Holiday (UCLA) – FC Kansas City, No. 12
At UCLA, Lauren Holiday (then Cheney) put together one of the most accomplished careers in program history. She remains the Bruins’ all-time leader in goals (71) and points (173), earning four straight First Team All-America selections and four consecutive First Team All-Pac-10 honors. A two-time Hermann Trophy finalist and the 2007 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year, Holiday was instrumental in leading UCLA to four consecutive College Cup appearances, cementing her place among the elite in college soccer.
Leslie Osborne (Santa Clara) – Boston Breakers, No. 12
Leslie Osborne was a standout player for the Santa Clara Broncos from 2001 to 2004, helping them secure the 2001 NCAA Championship as a freshman. She was a three-time All-American and the 2004 Honda Sports Award winner as the nation’s top player. Osborne still ranks sixth in goals (44) and ninth in assists (33) on Santa Clara’s career charts, and she twice earned WCC Player of the Year honors (2003 and 2004) while also being recognized as the league’s Defender of the Year as a senior.
Lori Chalupny (North Carolina) – Chicago Red Stars, No. 17
At the University of North Carolina, Lori Chalupny developed into one of the most reliable midfielders of her era. She tallied 30 goals and 32 assists over her career, starting 82 of 89 matches. A two-time First Team NSCAA All-American and three-time First Team All-ACC pick, Chalupny was the 2005 ACC Tournament MVP and played a vital role in UNC’s run to the 2003 NCAA Championship and a perfect 27-0-0 record. She closed her Tar Heel career by leading the program to a 23-1-1 finish in 2005, showcasing her consistency and leadership on the nation’s biggest stage.
Joanna Lohman (Penn State) – Washington Spirit, No. 15
Joanna Lohman distinguished herself at Penn State both on the field and in the classroom. A three-time NSCAA All-American and four-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, she was the 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the 2003 Big Ten Player of the Year. Lohman was a two-time finalist for both the Hermann Trophy and Honda Sports Award, underscoring her place among the nation’s elite. She also excelled academically, earning First Team Academic All-America honors and graduating with a 3.98 GPA, while helping Penn State capture four straight Big Ten titles.
The College Connection
From Berkeley to Portland, UCLA to Penn State, the accomplishments of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Holiday, Leslie Osborne, Lori Chalupny, and Joanna Lohman underscore the pivotal role college soccer plays in developing the stars of the professional game. Their jersey retirements in the NWSL celebrate careers that inspired countless fans, but each of those journeys was rooted in the college game. It’s a reminder that the college pathway remains a vital bridge to professional women’s soccer.
