2018 NWSL draft: Washington Spirit select Wake Forest midfielder Maddie Huster

With the 26th pick in the 2018 NWSL draft, the Washington Spirit went with a familiar choice, selecting Wake Forest Demon Deacons midfielder Maddie Huster. Huster’s older sister is longtime Spirit midfielder Tori Huster, and the younger Huster has spent several years training with Washington and playing for the Spirit Reserves.

During her time with Wake Forest, Huster scored 10 goals and added 8 assists from central midfield in 75 appearances. Huster joins Washington’s very crowded central midfield; along with the two Husters, the Spirit have Andi Sullivan, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Joanna Lohman, Havana Solaun, and Morgan Proffitt competing for time.

Huster’s time with the Spirit Reserves underlines a long-standing trend for Washington, who have made good use of their WPSL side’s strength. Three of the Spirit’s picks in the 2018 draft have previously appeared for the Spirit Reserves, who have not lost a game in WPSL regular season play in the last three seasons.