Ellie Wheeler Explained

Ellie Wheeler
Full Name:Ellis Nicole Wheeler[1]
Birth Date:14 December 2001
Height:5 ft 7 in
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Kansas City Current
Clubnumber:5
Collegeyears1:2020–2023
College1:Penn State Nittany Lions
Collegecaps1:77
Collegegoals1:3
Years1:2024–
Clubs1:Kansas City Current
Caps1:13
Goals1:1
Nationalyears1:2020
Nationalteam1:United States U-19
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:July 20, 2024

Ellis Nicole Wheeler (born December 14, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Current in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Early life and college career

Wheeler grew up in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the daughter of Scott and Nicole Wheeler, and has two brothers.[2] [3] She played club soccer as a forward for FC Virginia of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), leading her division in goals in 2015–16. She committed to the Pennsylvania State University in March 2017.[4]

Penn State Nittany Lions, 2020–2023

Wheeler was a four-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2020 to 2023.[2] She was converted to a defender at the college level, moving to wing back for her first season and then center back in the team's back three as a sophomore.[5] As a junior, she helped the team win the 2022 Big Ten tournament.[3] She recorded three goals and six assists over 77 appearances.[2]

Club career

Kansas City Current, 2024–

The Kansas City Current selected Wheeler 18th overall in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, the team's highest pick of the night.[6] She was signed to a one-year contract with a one-year option in March 2024.[7] In the season opener on March 16, she scored the second goal in the Current's 5–4 home win against the Portland Thorns.[8]

International career

Wheeler participated in Virginia's Olympic Development Program in 2013 and 2014.[4] She was called into a training camp with the United States national under-17 team in July 2018.[9] She was rostered with the national under-19 team for a friendly tournament in Spain in February–March 2020.[10] While in college, she played friendlies with the national under-23 team against NWSL clubs in the 2023 preseason.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Penn State Commencement, Summer Session 2023, Baccalaureate and Associate Degrees . August 12, 2023 . August 1, 2024 . Penn State . 14.
  2. Web site: Ellie Wheeler – Women's Soccer. Penn State Nittany Lions. 2024-05-02.
  3. News: Ellie Wheeler. Kansas City Current. 2024-05-02.
  4. News: ECNL scoring ace makes 2020 commitment. Clark. Travis. 2017-03-17. TopDrawerSoccer. 2024-05-02.
  5. News: Ellie Wheeler's Defensive Improvement Key To Penn State Women's Soccer's Success. Lyons. Otis. 2021-08-25. Onward State. 2024-05-02.
  6. News: KC Current pick versatile right-back from Penn State, 2 goalkeepers in NWSL Draft. 2024-01-13. Sperry. Daniel. The Kansas City Star. 2024-05-02. subscription.
  7. News: Kansas City Current sign pair of draft picks ahead of 2024 season. 2024-03-07. Kansas City Current. 2024-05-02.
  8. News: History made & a wild game: KC Current electrify CPKC Stadium in season-opening win. 2024-03-18. Sperry. Daniel. The Kansas City Star. 2024-05-02. subscription.
  9. News: U17 WNT heads to Kansas City for camp. 2018-07-16. United States Soccer Federation. TopDrawerSoccer. 2024-05-02.
  10. News: U19 WNT roster announced for La Manga. 2020-02-25. United States Soccer Federation. TopDrawerSoccer. 2024-05-02.
  11. News: U23 WNT Roster for Thorns Tournament. 2023-03-03. United States Soccer Federation. 2024-03-11. TopDrawerSoccer.com.