Wayne Hills Alum Nickolette Driesse has made it big in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Driesse, 23,  is a midfielder for Orlando Pride. She graduated with the Class of 2013 and played on the varsity soccer squad where she scored 88 goals and notched 46 assists. This was just the very beginning of her career. Driesse was contacted by several colleges during her junior year and opted for Florida State University.

“In between high school and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), I had a lot of time to grow on and off the field while attending Florida State for two years and Penn State for the other two,” said Driesse.  She adds that she the importance of time management to achieve goals. 

“When I was young, I told myself I would play soccer professionally and since then I knew I needed to do whatever it took with nothing stand in my way,” she said.  “High school helped me discover a different kind of love for soccer, one that I never had. Now that I am playing in the NWSL, it is extremely different in the sense that everyone has the ability to play at the same level whether it’s technically or physically.”

Driesse continues by saying that “Some girls are bigger, faster, and stronger but that challenges me to work even harder when nobody’s watching. Aside from that, there are different rules and restrictions such as being limited to three subs or possibly getting traded to another team at any point in the season or during the off season. At the end of the day, I am fortunate enough to be getting paid for something I am so incredibly passionate about and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

As for how her interest in soccer arose, Driesse does not hesitate:  “I was drawn to the sport from a young age because of my two old brothers, Ronnie and Michael who also played soccer,” she said.  “Not only did I watch them play against each other in our backyard but I would travel with them and my parents to see many of their games. I guess you can say I fell in love with the sport as it became a way for me and my family to bond and spend quality time. “

Driesse credits her family with supporting her throughout her soccer journey.  “Throughout that time, not once have they stopped believing or investing in me. I appreciate my family being so hard on me and pushing me to be the very best because now I have grown accustomed to hard work, determination, and perseverance.”

The soccer player also had nothing but praise for WHHS.  “Being an alumni of Wayne Hills High School means more to me than I could ever put into words. My four years there gave me some of the greatest memories of my life allowing me to form relationships I can carry on for the rest of my life. The school has an incredible culture and it always feels like home; I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Wayne Hills family.”