BALTIMORE – Former California Golden Bears defender/forward Samantha Witteman was selected 10th overall in the first round of the National Women's Soccer League Draft by the Orlando Pride on Friday morning in Baltimore at the Baltimore Convention Center. Witteman became the first former Bear drafted by a professional women's club since Alex Morgan was the first overall choice of the Women's Professional Soccer's Western New York Flash in 2011. Morgan is also a member of the Pride, after being acquired by Orlando in October in a trade with Portland Thorns FC.

“We are so proud of Sam,” California head coach Neil McGuire said on Friday from the NWSL Draft Baltimore. “This is an incredible opportunity for her to be part of something very special. Coach (Tom) Sermanni is an exceptional coach and will be a wonderful mentor for Sam.”

Witteman, who was selected to the U.S. U-23 Women's National Team earlier this week, was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team All-American and a First Team All-Pac-12 selection. The senior proved herself to be one of the most versatile players in the conference this season, earning at least one start in seven different positions in Cal's 21 games this season. She made herself known as one of the most dangerous outside backs in the conference in a season that saw her score four goals, with all four of them being game-winners, in addition to leading one of the top defenses in the Pac-12. Overall, Witteman had a hand in five of Cal's 13 game-winning goals, finishing second in the league in scoring four winners to go alongside a game-winning assist.

"I'm very, very excited and overwhelmed with joy that I have this opportunity," an elated Witteman said on Friday. "I didn't get a chance to play with (Alex Morgan) at Cal; she was a few years out when I arrived, but definitely it will be awesome to play with her (in Orlando)."

The California Golden Bears (13-6-4) earned their 12th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid in earning a No. 3 national seed in 2015 during Witteman's senior campaign. The Redondo Beach, California native was one of five Bears to earn Pac-12 honors this past season.