Paige Nielsen Bio
Paige Kathleen Nielsen (born October 14, 1993) is an American professional soccer defender who currently plays for Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for the Washington Spirit, Seattle Reign FC, and Angel City FC in the NWSL, Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian W-League, Suwon UDC in Korea’s WK League, and Apollon in Cyprus’s First Division.
Early Life and Background
Paige Nielsen was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Kathy Nielsen. She attended Lincoln Southeast High School, where she distinguished herself as a four-year varsity soccer player. During her high school career, she was nominated twice for the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2012. Nielsen set new school records, finishing her high school career with 79 goals and 35 assists, and was recognized as an All-State, All-Conference, and All-City soccer player. Nielsen also played club soccer for Toro Bravo in Omaha, Nebraska, leading her team to three state championships and earning accolades in regional competitions. She was a member of the Nebraska Olympic Development Program team from 2007 to 2010.
Path to Soccer
Following her successful high school career, Paige Nielsen attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2012 to 2015, where she played for the Tar Heels. In her freshman year, she participated in 20 games, starting five, and contributed to the team’s NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship victory. Over her college career, Nielsen became a key player, finishing with 13 goals and 7 assists, and captaining the team during her senior year. Her collegiate success paved the way for her professional career, which began in 2016 when she was drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League.
Paige Nielsen Career
Early Career (2016)
In January 2016, Paige Nielsen was selected as the 25th overall pick in the NWSL College Draft by Seattle Reign FC, making her the first player from Nebraska to be drafted by an NWSL team. She signed with the club in May of that year and made her debut against the Chicago Red Stars on May 22. However, her time with Seattle was short-lived, as she was waived in July 2016 after limited appearances.
Breakthrough (2016–Present)
After her stint with Seattle Reign FC, Nielsen signed with Apollon in Cyprus for a brief period before moving to the Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2016-17 W-League season, where she started all twelve games. Following her time in Australia, she played for Suwon UDC in South Korea’s WK League and then Canberra United in the W-League. In February 2019, Nielsen returned to the NWSL, signing with the Washington Spirit, where she played until 2021. In December 2021, she was selected by Angel City FC in the NWSL Expansion Draft, where she made a significant impact, appearing in twenty matches during her first season. Nielsen signed a two-year contract extension with Angel City in December 2022, and during the 2023 season, she was a starting defender, contributing to the team’s playoff run. In April 2024, Nielsen was traded to Houston Dash, where she scored a late goal against her former team, Angel City FC, in her debut.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Paige Nielsen has established herself as a reliable defender in the NWSL, contributing to her teams’ successes and earning recognition for her performances on the field.
Paige Nielsen Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Paige Nielsen has been recognized for her contributions to soccer, although specific award nominations have not been detailed in the available information.
Paige Nielsen Awards Won
While specific awards won by Paige Nielsen are not documented, her achievements on the field, including her collegiate championship and contributions to various teams, highlight her successful career in soccer.
Paige Nielsen Family
Paige Nielsen is married to Jennifer Riservato, with their wedding taking place on January 22, 2022. She has expressed that she plays for her mother, Kathy Nielsen, who passed away from Hodgkin lymphoma when Paige was a senior in college.
Personal Life
In addition to her soccer career, Paige Nielsen has faced personal challenges, including undergoing emergency surgery for a blood clotting condition in 2022. She was featured in the documentary series “Angel City” in 2023 and appeared in the reality television series “The Offseason” in 2024, which follows NWSL players during their training.