The Portland Thorns sign 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Caiya Hanks
Caiya Hanks is on her way to the Rose City on a four-year contract through 2028.
For the first time in school history in 2024, Wake Forest had a MAC Hermann finalist. And now, that finalist is a Portland Thorn.
Caiya Hanks’ historic season led to one of the best stories in all of NCAA Women’s Soccer.
What is the MAC Hermann trophy? The MAC Hermann Trophy is an award given to the top male and female NCAA Division I college soccer players. It's considered the most prestigious individual honor in the sport and voted on by around 500 coaches.
The junior forward tallied 11 goals and 12 assists, breaking program records for single-season assists and points.
Wake Forest had a magical run to their first-ever NCAA Championship with a 16-4-4 record. Hanks was absolutely brilliant during the tournament, recording 11 points and tying the tournament high. With her dazzling playmaking on display, she led the entire NCAA tournament with 5 assists. Hanks also owns the Wake Forest school record for most assists in a season.
Caiya Hanks is now heading to the NWSL with the Portland Thorns. The club announced that she has signed a four year contract through 2028 with a mutual option for 2029.
“We are excited that Caiya has chosen to start her professional career in Portland,” Thorns President and General Manager, Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “As we look towards the future, we believe her pace, positioning, and finishing qualities exemplify an attacking style of play that we are working to build on. We look forward to her development and contributions for the Thorns.”
Although the Portland Thorns forward group will be without Sophia Wilson and Morgan Weaver for 2025, they will have a very talented young core, which includes: Caiya Hanks, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, and Payton Linnehan. Additionally, Deyna Castellanos could be the key to unlocking this frontline.
Fun Facts!
Hometown: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Caiya Hanks is a politics & international affairs major and theater minor!
Well there's your Morgan Weaver replacement. Four year deal is quite the contract! She was very, very good last year tho, carried Wake to the championship match Sophia Smith-style. Would almost certainly have been a top 5 pick next year if the draft still existed.
Theater minor? Thorns Tik tok game about to go into overdrive