Emma Sears
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 23, 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Racing Louisville FC | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Ohio Premier | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2023 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 83 | (25) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Racing Louisville FC | 9 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 22, 2024 | |||
Emma Sears (born February 23, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was drafted by Louisville in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Early life[edit]
Sears was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey,[2] and lived in both England and Laguna Beach, California before moving to Dublin, Ohio. Sears attended Dublin Jerome High School where she was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the girls' soccer team.[3] She was named first team All-Ohio after both her junior and senior seasons.[4] Sears played club soccer for Ohio Premier.
College career[edit]
Sears attended the Ohio State University and featured in 83 matches for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2023. She primarily played as a wide forward, but transitioned during her fifth year to a deeper playmaking position.[5] She scored 25 goals, including the game-winner against Bucknell University in extra time in the 2022 NCAA Tournament,[6] and tallied 15 assists in total for the Buckeyes.[7] Sears was an second team All-Big Ten honoree in Spring 2021 and 2022,[8][9] and a first team All-Big Ten honoree in 2023.[10] She graduated in 2023 with a degree in health science.[11]
Professional career[edit]
Sears was selected 28th overall in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville FC.[12][13] She reported for training camp on January 24, 2024.[14] She signed a one-year contract with the team on March 4. The deal included a mutual option for the 2025 season.[15] She made her professional debut in a 2–2 draw against the Orlando Pride on March 16 and scored her first professional goal in a 5–1 win over the Utah Royals on April 20.[16] She earned her first start for Louisville against the Orlando Pride on May 5.[17] Her second professional goal, scored on May 18, 2024, won NWSL Goal of the Week.[18] On May 22, 2024 it was announced that Sears had signed a contract extension through the 2026 season.[19]
Personal Life[edit]
Sears has a twin sister, Bronwen, who played collegiate soccer for Miami University.[20]
References[edit]
- ^ "Emma Sears – Racing Louisville FC". Racing Louisville FC.
- ^ "Meet the 17 New Jersey Soccer Players in NWSL as 2024 Season Begins". Daily Record. March 13, 2024.
- ^ "Dublin Jerome Roundup: Girls Coach Values Sears Twins". The Columbus Dispatch. October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Emma Sears – Women's Soccer – Bio". Ohio State Buckeyes.
- ^ "Women's Soccer: A Final Year with Buckeyes Helps Prepare Sears for 2024 NWSL Draft". The Lantern. January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Soccer: Sears Scores 107th-Minute Winner as No. 6 Buckeyes Beat Bucknell 1-0, Advance to the Second Round of NCAA Tournament". The Lantern. November 12, 2022.
- ^ "Emma Sears – 2023–24 – Women's Soccer – Stats". Ohio State Buckeyes.
- ^ "Big Ten Announces 2020–21 Women's Soccer Postseason Honors". Big Ten Conference. April 14, 2021.
- ^ "Big Ten Conference Announces 2022 Women's Soccer Postseason Honors". Big Ten Conference. October 27, 2022.
- ^ "Big Ten Conference Announces 2023 Women's Soccer Postseason Honors". Big Ten Conference. October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Emma Sears Selected in 2nd Round of NWSL Draft". Ohio State Buckeyes. January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Breaking Down Racing Louisville's Off-Season Roster Moves After Draft Night". Beautiful Game Network. January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Dublin native selected in 2nd round of National Women's Soccer League draft". 10tv. January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Racing Announces Preseason Roster, Schedule". Racing Louisville FC. January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Racing Louisville Signs Ohio State Standout". WAVE. March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Recap: Racing Soars Past Utah on Landmark Day". Racing Louisville FC. April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Team News: Sears, DiGrande Earn First Racing Starts". Racing Louisville FC. May 5, 2024.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 21, 2024). "The precision needed to score from this angle 🤌" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Standout Rookie Emma Sears Signs New 3-Year Contract with Racing". Our Sports Central. May 22, 2024.
- ^ "Bronwen Sears – Women's Soccer – Bio". Miami Redhawks.
External links[edit]
- Emma Sears at Soccerway
- Emma Sears at Racing Louisville FC