This season, a standout player from each of the W League’s ten divisions has been chosen as their respective division’s Divisional Player of the Year. Statistics mentioned include both regular season and postseason play.  

The USL W League Divisional Players of the Year were selected based on individual player performances throughout both the regular season and postseason and nominations from W League coaches. 

Later this week the W League will announce the 2023 Team of the Year First Team and Second Team.  

2023 Divisional Players of the Year:

Great Lakes: Bailey Korhorn, Kalamazoo FC - The former Western Michigan University Bronco recorded nine goals and two assists in 10 matches for Kalamazoo FC. Korhorn helped lead Kalamazoo to five wins this season.  

Heartland: Maya Hansen, Minnesota Aurora FC - This season Minnesota Aurora had over a dozen scoring threats, with 15 players getting into the scoring column for the team. However, the South Dakota State Jackrabbit recorded a team-high 12 goals as well as six assists for the Aurora this season, helping lead the team to an unbeaten regular season.  

Metropolitan: Claire Manning, Morris Elite - The New Jersey native was second in the Golden Boot race, scoring an impressive 17 goals in 12 games for Morris Elite. Manning, a rising sophomore at Georgetown, led her team to its second consecutive playoff appearance.  

Mid Atlantic: Baylee DeSmit, Christos FC – The 2023 Golden Boot winner Baylee DeSmit had a record-breaking season for Christos FC, scoring 21 regular season goals. DeSmit, who plays collegiately at Loyola, also tallied six assists and helped Christos reach its first-ever playoff appearance.  

NorCal: Nádia Gomes, SF Glens – Gomes, who was drafted by the Orlando Pride in 2018, had an incredible season for expansion side SF Glens, helping lead the team to the W League Semifinals after winning the Western Conference. Gomes scored 17 goals in 15 appearances, including a hattrick in the club’s opening playoff match against Oakland Soul. Gomes also recorded six assists during the regular season.  

Northwest: Mariah Lee, Oly Town FC – Former Stanford and Wake Forest standout Mariah Lee shined in Oly Town’s first season in the W League. Lee, who recently played professionally in Spain, scored six goals in eight games for the expansion side, helping secure the top spot in the Western Conference. 

Southeast: Carissa Boeckmann, Tampa Bay United – The current Texas A&M Aggie had a wonderful season for Tampa Bay United where she led the team in both goals (10) and assists (5) in 11 matches. Boeckmann helped lead TBU to a perfect 12-0 season and the team also competed in the Southern Conference Final.  

South Atlantic: Mia Oliaro, NC Courage U23 – Mia Oliaro was honored as the 2023 Young Player of the Year after a standout year on a very impressive NC Courage U23 squad. Oliaro’s playmaking was on full display all season long with five goals and six assists. The 18-year-old's impact was felt all the way through the W League Final where the Courage came up just short in extra time.  

South Central: Katie Shea Collins, Tennessee SC - The University of South Carolina commit earned the W League’s Assists Champion award, recording seven assists during regular season play, and in addition tallied 14 goals for TSC. Collin’s incredible stat line helped TSC go from only two wins in 2022 to 8 wins and a playoff berth in 2023.  

Valley: Sam Dewey, Indy Eleven - Sam Dewey’s nine goals and three assists helped propel Indy Eleven to a nearly perfect season, securing the top spot in the Central Division and ultimately winning the 2023 W League Championship. Dewey found herself on SportsCenter Top 10, as her cheeky backheel in the club’s conference title match was notched at #4.