ORLANDO, Fla. (January 18, 2017) – Orlando Pride has acquired the rights to two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist Rachel Hill from Portland Thorns FC. In exchange for the forward, the Thorns receive Orlando’s natural first- and fourth-round picks in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
“Rachel was a player we scouted heavily and rated very highly going into draft day,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “While we weren’t able to trade up to draft her, we’re happy we were able to make this deal work to bring another goal-scoring option to the roster.”
Hill, 21, was selected with the Thorns’ first pick (No. 14 overall) in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. One of the top-rated forwards in the draft, Hill was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Connecticut and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the annual award given to the nation’s best collegiate player, in 2015 and 2016.
A native of Rollinsford, N.H., Hill finished her Huskies career with 61 goals and 18 assists (140 points) en route to two NSCAA All-American honors. Over her collegiate career, Hill led UConn to three straight NCAA tournament appearances and two American Athletic Conference titles. Hill currently ranks second all-time in career goals, while her 140 points are fourth in Huskies’ history.
Hill also earned a spot on the 2014 U.S. U20 Women’s World Cup roster, making an appearance in the team’s 1-0 group play win over Brazil.
Season tickets for the Pride’s second NWSL season are currently on sale and can be purchased at orlando-pride.com/tickets or by calling (855) ORL-CITY. Fans can also purchase a two-match package, which includes a ticket to the Club’s home opener in its new 25,500 seat stadium, at the link here.
Rachel Hill
Position: Forward
Height: 5-5
Born: April 17, 1995
Hometown: Rollinsford, N.H.
Citizenship: USA
College: University of Connecticut
Acquired: via trade with Portland Thorns FC on January 18, 2017
