Schimmer shines as pro draftee

When Marleen Schimmer was looking for a college home two years ago, Chris Cissell was a new Grand Canyon women's soccer coach making his best maneuver before his first day on the GCU Stadium field.

"Come to GCU and we will help you reach your dream of being a professional player," Cissell told Schimmer.

Marleen Schimmer

That feat actually would be just a portion of what becoming a Lope did for Schimmer.

The Mainz, Germany, native spearheaded the greatest program revival in Division I women's soccer from 2019 to 2021, became WAC Offensive Player of the Year, took GCU to its first NCAA Division I tournament appearance and went beyond becoming a pro soccer player. Schimmer became a first-round pick in the National Women's Soccer League, the top women's soccer league in the world.

Schimmer was the ninth overall selection in the NWSL Draft by expansion club San Diego Wave FC, which targeted the 5-foot-6 forward after she recorded 17 goals and 18 assists in 39 games at GCU.

"It was an unbelievable feeling," Schimmer said from Germany, where she shared the draft moment with her parents, Markus and Marion, and her brother, Tim. "I was absolutely speechless. I'd been nervous the whole week and then to hear my name being called was such a relief. I still haven't fully processed what happened. It's been a dream since I was a kid to play and compete at the highest level. To do that for San Diego Wave FC is just unbelievable. I can't wait to give everything for this club."

Schimmer was a supreme talent when she arrived from Arizona State, but going from a Power 5 program to a surging mid-major in Phoenix did not derail her career path. It only enhanced her arc, as Cissell implemented a dynamic offensive system that played to her strengths and provided the freedom for her to be creative.

"This is not just my success, this is GCU's success," Schimmer said, repeating what she told Cissell and her team. "I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without GCU. It definitely helped that we had such a successful season with so many accomplishments. When I came to GCU, Chris promised me that he will help me go pro, and that's exactly what he did. The amount of help and support that Chris provided was outstanding and I couldn't think him enough for that."

Schimmer and the Lopes program were in transition in her first season, when GCU clicked at the midpoint and finished on a 6-1-1 run that rolled into this fall's 16-4-2 season. More importantly, Schimmer also clicked with the program in every way. Her soccer play responded to the accountability, while her team became her second family and the GCU campus became her second home.

Marleen Schimmer

Even with a 13-goal, 14-assist season, Schimmer remained interested in returning for a final Lopes season, but she did not realize how much she had been dazzling pro scouts in the fall. The 21-year-old was the nation's No. 10 scorer (1.82 points per game) and ranked second for shots (5.2 per game).

"It was just amazing when we started to realize that not only was she going to be drafted, but that early – a first-round draft pick and ninth overall," Cissell said of the WAC's first NWSL draft pick. "It was very exciting for Schimmy, but I think it's very exciting for the entire soccer family and really all of GCU Athletics.

"When it all came to fruition with all these rewards, she's been very proud of the GCU soccer family. She said everything she's accomplished is more than she ever could have dreamed of in her two short years with us."

Schimmer was missed largely by soccer pundits. She was not listed on TopDrawerSoccer.com's top-50 draft board and was not on the NWSL Draft telecast's top 10 available players at the time of San Diego's No. 9 pick.

"Marleen Schimmer is a fantastic pick," CBS Sports analyst Aly Wagner said. "This is a footballer. You can just tell this is a pure footballer. She has an incredible IQ. She's left-footed. She's right-footed. This is a player that can break lines on the dribble. She's incredibly athletic. She's so comfortable. This is a player who can play on the left wing or right wing. I love this pick."

With NWSL teams limited to five international players on their rosters, the timing to turn pro was ideal for Schimmer because San Diego was starting with an open slate as an expansion franchise. As coaches called more, Cissell realized she was being regarded as a first-round talent for what she showed as a Lope.

"I can proudly say that GCU was the best team I've ever been a part of," Schimmer said. "Looking back, I can say that I gave my all for this program and I can't wait to represent GCU in the pros. I will never forget the time and all the people that I met there. Lopes up forever!"

Schimmer is going to a San Diego club that includes U.S. Women's National Team legend Alex Morgan and is coached by Casey Stoney, England's all-time national team appearance leader and a former Manchester United women's head coach.

"Casey Stoney is really wanting to be dynamic up top and having that solid playmaking, that's what she (Schimmer) will bring to this team," CBS Sports analyst Leslie Osborne said. "A little surprising of a pick, but I like it."

Schimmer will complete her Psychology degree with GCU online courses during the San Diego season and graduate in April. Preseason camp begins Feb. 1 for the NWSL's 10th season, a long way from the games Schimmer played in the Mainz streets with her brother and his friends.

"The amount of thanks she has given to me, she is so nice to me," Cissell said. "She has reminded me of all the conversations when I told her I was going to give her the freedom to be dynamic, to be creative and to be herself. She said she was able to flourish and be the best player she could be."

Draft reactions = priceless. 🤩#LopesInThePros x @sandiegowavefc pic.twitter.com/DohqoVblQh
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSoccer) December 18, 2021

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Marleen Schimmer

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