San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma was voted 2023 US Soccer Female Player of the Year on Thursday adding to her impressive resume when it comes to individual awards.

Girma is the first pure defender to win the award and it comes two months after being named NWSL Defender of the Year after helping lead the San Diego Wave to the Supporters’ Shield last season.

The 23-year-old native of San Jose recently signed a three-year extension with SD Wave that will keep her in San Diego through the 2026 season and was also named to the NWSL Best XI First Team.

“I’m honored and grateful to be the first defender and second black player to win this award,” said Girma. “It’s a testament to all the hard work put in by our goalkeepers, the back line, and our whole team to achieve a historic year for our defense.”

She also finished third on the USWNT in minutes played having started all 16 games she played leading the Stars and Stripes defense to its lowest goals-against average (0.17 goals allowed per game) in a calendar year with a minimum of 10 games played.

“My coaches and teammates for club and country are the people who have helped shape me into the person and player I am today,” Girma added. “I’m very thankful to all of them. I’m super excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to get started here in 2024.”

The San Diego Wave finished last regular season tied for second with the North Carolina Courage giving up 22 goals in 22 games as the team also recently re-signed fellow defender Christen Westphal through 2025.

Foto cortesía: David Frerker