Former Coug Forward Elyse Bennett has signed with the Orlando Pride on Aug 31 for the remainder of the National Women’s Soccer League. She will play out the remainder of the season with the Orlando Pride.
Bennett played for the Cougs all five years of her collegiate career. Bennett scored her first goal against No. 6 USC and a game winner at ASU in 2017 during her freshman year. She played 14 games her sophomore year before her season ending to an ACL injury.
Elyse returned for her junior year and started in 23 out of 24 games in which she scored 5 goals and 5 assists. One of her goals being the game winner against Oregon in Pac-12 play.
In the 2021 spring season she would score in three straight matches for the first time in her career.
Bennett would finish off college with her best season yet, scoring 10 goals on the season. She ranked sixth all-time in goals scored and played in 93 games. The second most of all time for the Cougs.
In an interview with the Pac-12 Bennet said what soccer means to her.
“Soccer gave me the ability to be myself but also attribute my abilities to myself.”
Bennett was drafted to the NWSL as the 7th overall pick to the Kansas City Current in 2022. She put in 3 goals and 2 assists after starting in 3 games.
Bennett would return to Washington joining the Seattle Reign for the 2023 season. She then was drafted by the Utah Royals in the 2024 Expansion draft as the second overall pick but would later be traded to San Diego FC.
Bennett then played 2 games for Deportivo La Coruña in the Female Spanish Liga. On Aug 31 she signed a contract with the Orlando Pride to finish off the 2024-25 NWSL season.
In an interview about Bennett, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter commented on her expereince.
“She’s a player with tremendous upside, and her experience across multiple systems and clubs gives her a unique perspective that we value. Elyse’s energy, professionalism and attacking instincts will be a great fit for our locker room and our style of play.”
After numerous stints with various teams in the pros, Bennett is bringing her expereince to Orlando where she will play for the remainder of the season.
