Ryan Emilie Williams (born February 23, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
![]() Williams with the North Carolina Courage in 2024 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ryan Emilie Williams[1] | ||
Date of birth | February 23, 1996 | ||
Place of birth | Centennial, Colorado, United States | ||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Position(s) | Defender, midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | North Carolina Courage | ||
Number | 13 | ||
Youth career | |||
Colorado Rush | |||
2011–2014 | Cherry Creek High School | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2014–2017 | TCU Horned Frogs | 80 | (1) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2018– | North Carolina Courage | 73 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 24, 2024 |
Born in Centennial, Colorado, Williams played college soccer for the TCU Horned Frogs. She was drafted by the Courage with the 40th pick of the 2018 NWSL College Draft. During her stint with the Courage, the team has won the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in both 2018 and 2019 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2022 and 2023.
Early life
editWilliams was born on February 23, 1996, in Centennial, Colorado,[2] to parents Charles and Lisa, and has five siblings.[3] Williams began playing soccer at four years old,[4] and she played club soccer with the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) team Colorado Rush as a midfielder.[5] The Rush won the ECNL national championship in the 2011–12 season.[6] In her sophomore year at Cherry Creek High School, Williams was part of the soccer team that won the 2012 5A state championship.[3][7] As a four-year letterwinner coming out of high school, she was ranked 16th regionally by TopDrawerSoccer.com.[3]
College career
editIn Williams's freshman year in 2014, she was converted to a defender,[4] and she started 18 of 19 matches.[3] She made her collegiate debut against Washington State, the Horned Frogs' first opponent of the season, on August 22.[8] She got her first assist in a 3–0 win against Abilene Christian on September 7.[9] She helped the team achieve six shutouts and a goals against average of 0.96,[3] and the Horned Frogs finished 8–8–3,[10] with a loss to West Virginia in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Big 12 Conference tournament.[11] Williams, who played 1,702 minutes in her first season, was listed as part of the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team on November 3.[12]
Williams started every game in her sophomore year and led the team with five assists.[3] Two of those assists were against Oral Roberts,[13] leading to a 4–0 win on September 6.[14] Her fifth assist was against Baylor on October 27,[3][15] leading to the game-tying goal.[16] In the 2015 Big 12 Conference tournament, TCU was knocked out by Baylor in penalties,[17] ending the season with a record of 8–7–4. The penalty shootout lasted eight rounds,[18] and Williams made her kick during the sixth round.[19]
In Williams's junior year in 2016, she started all 20 games for the Horned Frogs.[3] She assisted the game-winning goal in the season-opener against Maryland Terrapins during overtime on August 19.[20][21] Her other assist of the season was to Kayla Hill against Austin Peay, en route to a 4–1 win.[22] In the 2016 Big 12 Conference tournament, the Horned Frogs beat Kansas 1–0 in the quarterfinals,[23] and Baylor 3–2 in overtime in the semifinals.[24] In the Big 12 championship, the Horned Frogs lost to West Virginia 3–2 in overtime, after leading 2–0 before halftime.[25] After the conference tournament, TCU qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.[26] On November 12, the Horned Frogs were knocked out in the first round by Texas A&M 1–0.[27]
Williams started in all 22 games in her senior year.[3] In the season opener against Louisiana–Monroe, Williams collected her 10th career assist, leading to a 5–0 win.[28] On August 20, she recorded a career-high three assists against UTSA in a 5–0 victory.[29] Williams returned to her home state of Colorado on August 27,[30] assisting the game-winning goal against Northern Colorado.[31] Her 15th and final collegiate assist was in a 2–1 loss to Northeastern on September 8.[32] In the 2017 Big 12 Conference tournament, she made her penalty kicks in back-to-back penalty shootout victories against Kansas and West Virginia.[33][34] Williams was placed as the fifth penalty kicker by head coach Eric Bell "because we know she's got ice water in her veins".[34] In the Big 12 championship, Williams scored her first collegiate goal in the 87th minute against Baylor, when a handball was called inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick, though the Horned Frogs lost the match 2–1.[35] With a record of 12–6–3, TCU qualified for the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season.[36] The Horned Frogs scored their first ever NCAA tournament goal, then allowed two goals to Arizona and lost in the first round.[37] At the end of the season, Williams was listed as part of the 2017 All-Big 12 First Team[38] and the United Soccer Coaches All-South First Team.[39]
Williams majored in physical education,[40] and she was listed on the Academic Big 12 All-Rookie team in 2014 and first-team Academic All-Big 12 from 2015 to 2017.[3]
Club career
editNorth Carolina Courage
edit2018–2020
editWilliams was drafted by the North Carolina Courage with the 40th pick of the 2018 NWSL College Draft, becoming the first player from TCU to be drafted into the NWSL.[41] She was added as a defender to the 2018 pre-season roster on March 5, 2018.[42] The Courage did not sign her immediately but retained her NWSL rights.[43] On May 31, Williams was signed as a national team replacement, as some active roster players were on international duty.[44] Williams made her professional debut on June 3 against the Houston Dash,[45] playing 11 minutes in the 1–1 draw.[46] Players on international duty returned to the team on June 15, and Williams was released as a result but was allowed to continue training with the Courage.[47] Williams was signed as a replacement again on July 18, as some players were on international duty for the 2018 Tournament of Nations.[48] On July 26, Williams participated in the 2018 Women's International Champions Cup, substituting on in the 61st minute against Paris Saint-Germain.[49] The Courage advanced into the finals, and they faced Olympique Lyonnais three days later. She made her first start in the finals and protected the 1–0 lead for 80 minutes.[50] Williams did not make another appearance during the 2018 season,[46] and the Courage continued on to win the NWSL Shield and Championship.[51]
On March 8, 2019, Williams and the Courage reached an agreement on a new contract.[52] The Courage announced their 2019 pre-season roster on March 18, with Williams listed as a midfielder.[53] She was moved to a supplemental spot on the 2019 roster, which was released on April 8.[54] On June 1, Williams made her first NWSL start against Orlando, playing 81 minutes as a defender. She and the rest of the defense helped the team to a 3–0 win.[55] She played her first full match at the Washington Spirit, winning 2–1 on June 29.[56] Williams did not make an appearance for the rest of the regular season.[57] She listed as out with an injury in late July,[58] before being upgraded to questionable in mid-August.[59] Williams was out with an ankle injury in mid-October,[60] which lasted to the championship game.[61] After winning the NWSL Shield,[62] the Courage defeated Chicago 4–0 in the championship game, winning their second consecutive NWSL Championship.[63] A contract option was exercised for Williams at the end of the season.[64]
In the 2020 pre-season, Williams was listed as a defender on the roster.[65] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pre-season was suspended by the NWSL on March 12.[66] Williams was disappointed with the timing of the postponement, and she said, "We came here, and we had a really good, hard week of preseason, and we were all super excited to be here...It was so fun to be back, and then obviously it got cut off pretty fast."[67] The NWSL allowed individual training on May 6,[68] and Williams and her roommate Cari Roccaro prepared training videos for other teammates to follow from a far distance.[69] Small group training was allowed by May 25,[70] and a new month-long tournament was announced in place of the beginning of the regular season.[71] Williams remained on the roster ahead of the Challenge Cup,[72] and she recorded her first start of the season on July 5, in a 1–0 win against the Chicago Red Stars.[73] The Courage were knocked out in the quarterfinal round of the Challenge Cup by the Portland Thorns on July 17, losing the match 1–0.[74] Williams remained on the roster for the Fall Series, as one of the seven defenders after loans and opt-outs.[75] She played for four games of the series and recorded her first professional assist in a 4–1 loss against the Houston Dash.[76][77] After the season, the Courage extended a contract offer to Williams.[78]
2021–
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024) |
In December 2020, Williams signed a one-year contract, including a one-year option, with the Courage.[76]
Career statistics
edit- As of June 23, 2024[2]
Club | Season | League | Cup[a] | Playoffs[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
North Carolina Courage | 2018 | NWSL | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
2019 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
2020 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
2021 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | |||
2022 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 0 | ||||
2023 | 22 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 31 | 0 | |||
2024 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||||
Career total | 75 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 97 | 0 |
- ^ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
- ^ Includes NWSL Playoffs
- ^ NWSL Fall Series
Honors
editNorth Carolina Courage
- Women's International Champions Cup: 2018[50]
- NWSL Championship: 2018, 2019[2]
- NWSL Shield: 2018,[51] 2019[62]
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2022, 2023
References
edit- ^ "Classes from the Addran College of Liberal Arts: Bachelor of General Studies" (PDF). Commencement. Texas Christian University. December 15, 2018. p. 21. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ryan Williams". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ryan Williams – Women's Soccer". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Off The Field With Ryan Williams". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. December 3, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Clark, Travis (June 18, 2013). "Girls Commitments: Taking notice". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Advanced Sports Media. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Eskilson, J.R. (September 11, 2012). "ECNL Recap: Young Guns | Club Soccer | Youth Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Advanced Sports Media. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "2012 CHSAA Girls State Soccer Tournament (Class 5A)". MaxPreps. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Washington State on 8/22/2014 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Abilene Christian on 9/7/2014 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "TCU's Season Ends In Tough Loss". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 5, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "West Virginia tops TCU in Quarterfinals of Big 12 Championship". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 5, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "All-Big 12 Soccer Awards Announced". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 3, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "TCU gets shutout victory in soccer". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. September 7, 2015. p. B2. Retrieved May 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three In A Row! TCU Tops ORU 4–0". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Baylor on 10/27/2015 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Late Goal Helps TCU To Tie With Baylor". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. October 27, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Baylor Advances On Kicks In Thriller Over TCU". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 4, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Season Ends In Heartbreaking Fashion". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 4, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Baylor (Big 12 Quarterfinals) on 11/4/2015 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Maryland on 8/19/2016 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Roundup — Soccer". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. August 20, 2016. p. B2. Retrieved June 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Women's Soccer vs Austin Peay on 9/16/2016 – Box Score". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Joins Big 12 Championship Semifinals". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 2, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Advances At Big 12 Championship". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 4, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Mountaineers Win Big 12 Soccer Title". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. November 6, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Going dancing! TCU soccer earns 1st bid". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. November 8, 2016. p. B2. Retrieved June 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Early goal stands up as TCU is edged out". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. November 13, 2016. p. C11. Retrieved June 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Big Second Half Leads TCU To Win". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. August 18, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Cruises Past UTSA; Wins 5–0". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. August 20, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Hits Road; Travels To Colorado". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. August 24, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "Late Goal Gives TCU 2–1 Win". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. August 27, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU's Rally Falls Short In 2–1 loss". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. September 8, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Advances To Semifinals On PKs". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "TCU Headed To The Championship Game". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 3, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "Tournament Run Ends In Heartbreak". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 5, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Earns NCAA Bid; Faces Arizona Friday". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 6, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "TCU Falls In Heartbreaking Fashion". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 10, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "Woodard, Morrison, Pierre-Louis and Berg Lead All-Big 12 Honors". big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "Four Frogs Earn Postseason Accolades". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. November 29, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "2017 Academic All-Big 12 Soccer Team" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. Sidearm Sports. p. 2. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Williams Drafted In Fourth Round". TCU Athletics. Texas Christian University. January 18, 2018. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "NC Courage Preseason Roster Update". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "NC Courage Announces 2018 Roster". North Carolina Courage. March 19, 2018. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ Communication (May 31, 2018). "North Carolina Courage Sign Four to National Team Replacement Contracts and Activate Defender Yuri Kawamura from Disabled List". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "Unbeaten North Carolina Courage Now 13 Points Clear of First Place After Draw With Houston". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. June 3, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "Ryan Williams 2018 Match Logs". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage Players Return from International Duty". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage Sign Four to National Team Replacement Contracts". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. July 19, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ "NC Courage Defeat PSG 2–1 in First Ever Women's ICC match". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. July 26, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "NC Courage Win First Ever Women's International Champions Cup". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. July 30, 2018. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Balf, Celia (September 22, 2018). "Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win". www.nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
- ^ Communications, NC Courage (March 8, 2019). "NC Courage Reach Agreements with Four More Core Players". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage Releases Updated Preseason Roster". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. March 18, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage Announce 2019 Roster in Advance of Home Opener". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (June 1, 2019). "Kristen Hamilton Nets Hat Trick in 3–0 Win Over Orlando Pride". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (June 29, 2019). "Goals from Debinha and Pruitt Lead NC Courage Past Washington Spirit, 2–1". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "Ryan Williams 2019 Match Logs". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "NWSL Week 15 Preview – Equalizer Soccer". The Equalizer. The Equalizer. July 26, 2019. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Bush, Chelsey (August 9, 2019). "NWSL Week 17 Preview – Equalizer Soccer". The Equalizer. The Equalizer. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Bush, Chelsey (October 11, 2019). "NWSL Week 24 Preview – Equalizer Soccer". The Equalizer. The Equalizer. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "NWSL INJURY REPORT: Who's not playing in championship game". Front Row Soccer. Front Row Soccer. October 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Brown, Morgan (October 10, 2019). "NC Courage to Close Out Regular Season and Receive NWSL Shield on Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Levine, Matthew (October 27, 2019). "North Carolina Courage rolls past Chicago Red Stars to win second consecutive NWSL Championship". www.nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (November 4, 2019). "North Carolina Courage Announce Roster Update Following the Team's 2019 NWSL Championship Victory". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (March 9, 2020). "NC Courage Announces 2020 Preseason Roster". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Baird, Lisa (March 12, 2020). "Statement from NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird regarding the 2020 season". www.nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Cash, Meredith (March 30, 2020). "Like many pro athletes, NWSL players are in limbo waiting for their season — and they had to get creative to pass the time and stay in shape". Insider. Insider. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "NWSL to allow individual workouts starting Wednesday". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. May 4, 2020. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (May 12, 2020). "Courage Return Amidst COVID". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "NWSL gives OK to training in small groups". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. May 25, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Hays, Graham (May 27, 2020). "NWSL to return on June 27 with monthlong tournament". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (June 23, 2020). "NC Courage Announces 2020 Roster". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Martin, Hannah (July 5, 2020). "Abby Erceg's Game-Winner Gives Courage an Edge over Red Stars". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ Birkedal, Morgan (July 17, 2020). "NC Courage Fall After Four Straight Wins". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ Birkedal, Morgan (September 9, 2020). "NC Courage Fall Series Roster Update". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Birkedal, Morgan (December 15, 2020). "Hailey Harbison, Samantha Murphy, and Ryan Williams Sign Contracts Ahead of 2021". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Hannah (October 4, 2020). "Three Players Make NC Courage Debut in 4-1 Loss to Houston Dash". North Carolina Courage. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage Announce Roster Update Following 2020 Season". North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage. October 30, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
External links
edit- Ryan Williams at Soccerway.com
- Ryan Williams at FBref.com
- Ryan Williams at North Carolina Courage