2016 NWSL Draft: Orlando Pride Selects California Defender Sam Witteman

The Orlando Pride made a bit of club history today, taking part in their first NWSL College Draft.

With the 22 overall pick, their first of the day, the Pride selected California defender Samantha Witteman. The versatile defender adds depth in various positions around the field for Orlando, having started in seven different positions for Cal in 2015.

Witteman is also the first player ever drafted from California in NWSL history, although players from the school have been taken in previous American top flight leagues. She projects as an outside back or a wing player for the Pride.

The 5-foot-3 Whitteman started 22 games for California in 2015, scoring four goals with three assists. All four of her goals were game winners. She was named to the First Team All-Pac-12, as well as the NSCAA All-American team, capping off a successful final season in college.

The Pride had six defenders on their roster coming into the day, making Witteman No. 7, and just three midfielders, adding more depth at those positions as well. Having versatile players is never a bad thing, and Orlando just added a good one that should help the team in 2016.

Orlando has two more picks coming today, with No. 15 overall, in the second, coming up next.