Many USL W League alums are making strong statements for their sides in the second season of the Gainbridge Super League. From stoppage time equalizers to dream debuts, here are a few of the USL W League alums exemplifying pathway-to-pro success.  

Jess Garziano - Long Island Rough Riders, Brooklyn FC 

The former St. John’s University midfielder competed in two seasons in the USL W League with the Long Island Rough Riders. Garziano played a pivotal role in helping the Rough Riders secure the Metropolitan Division title in 2024 before signing for Gainbridge Super League side Brooklyn FC ahead of its inaugural 2024/25 season. The midfielder slotted home six goals and logged over 2,200 minutes for Brooklyn last season. She’s now been more on the playmaking side, currently leading the league with four assists, three of which from set pieces.

Ashlyn Puerta – Sporting JAX (formerly Florida Elite), Sporting JAX 

The Gainbridge Super League’s current Golden Boot leader Ashlyn Puerta spent a season with USL W League’s Sporting JAX prior to moving to the club’s professional team. The 18-year-old midfielder immediately cemented herself in league history, becoming the youngest player to record a hat trick when she led Sporting JAX to a 4-3 win over Carolina Ascent earlier this season. The San Diego native has logged over 700 minutes for JAX so far and leads the league in goals (7), most recently scoring an equalizer in the closing minutes of last weekend’s match to earn her side a point in a 1-1 draw against Tampa Bay Sun.  

Baylee DeSmit – Christos FC & Annapolis Blues FC, Sporting JAX 

The former Loyola Greyhound made her mark with USL W side Christos FC, winning the Golden Boot award in 2023 with 21 goals. The forward then brought her attacking skills to Annapolis Blues FC for its inaugural USL W League season in 2025, earning an undefeated regular season record (9-0-1) to top the Chesapeake Division. DeSmit, who signed with Sporting JAX ahead of its inaugural Gainbridge Super League campaign, notched her first professional goal in dramatic fashion earlier this month. She slotted home the critical stoppage-time equalizer in the 3-3 draw against Brooklyn FC to help JAX take a point back home. 

Annie Williams – Minnesota Aurora FC, Brooklyn FC 

The South Dakota State alum spent last summer with USL W side Minnesota Aurora FC, guiding the backline to help Aurora win its fourth-consecutive Heartland Division title and undefeated regular season record and its second Central Conference Championship. The center back made an immediate impact in her Gainbridge Super League debut on August 23. Less than a minute after subbing in, her first touch found the back of the net for the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over reigning champions Tampa Bay Sun FC. 

Gianna Gourley – Stockton Cargo SC, DC Power FC 

After sharpening her attacking skills with USL W side Stockton Cargo, Gourley signed her first professional contract with Fort Lauderdale United FC in 2024 before going on loan to DC Power FC. The Las Vegas native became the star of DC’s attack last season, scoring a team-high seven goals on 36 shots, in addition to one assist. Gourley signed a full contract with Power FC ahead of the 2025/26 season, and she just scored her eleventh goal with the team in the 90+5’ in last weekend’s match to earn a 1-1 draw with Spokane Zephyr FC.