Sophia Smith named NWSL MVP as Pac-12 dominates league's end-of-season awards

Several former Pac-12 standouts were recipients of the National Women's Soccer League's end-of-season awards, highlighted by former Stanford forward Sophia Smith becoming the youngest player to win the league's Most Valuable Player award.

The 23-year-old netted a career-high 14 goals this season for Portland Thorns FC, leading them Saturday's NWSL Championship Game. Smith, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, led the league in shots (76) and shots on goal (49) and tallied four two-goal games, tying the most in NWSL history.

Smith's former Cardinal teammate, Naomi Girma, won the league's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, the only player in league history to win both in the same season.

The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NWSL Draft, Girma helped lead San Diego Wave FC to the NWSL semifinals in their inaugural season.

Of course, Smith and Girma are no strangers to winning, leading Stanford to a national championship in 2019 and back-to-back Pac-12 titles in 2018 and 2019.

Two other Cardinal greats — defender Alana Cook and midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta — made the NWSL's Best XI First Team, joining Smith, Girma, California's Alex Morgan, who led the league with 16 goals, and UCLA's Mallory Pugh, who was fifth in the league in scoring.

The Pac-12's six First Teamers are the most of any conference. 

Former UCLA star Hailie Mace made the Best XI Second Team.