Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: Mauricio Paiz
Diaz, McDonald, and Horan Named American Players to Watch
8/12/2025 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Florida Atlantic women's soccer team tallied three players on the American Conference Players to Watch list, announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.Â
Defender Daniella Diaz, midfielder Morgan McDonald, and forward Michelle Horan were named the 2025 American players to watch for the Owls. All three are returning for their final collegiate season at FAU.Â
Diaz was a leading defender in the 2024 season for Florida Atlantic. She recorded a game-winning goal for her first collegiate goal and helped the Owls record five shutouts last season. Diaz was recognized as an American Weekly Honorable Mention recipient the week of September 23. With her tremendous efforts on and off the pitch, she was named as one of the six CSC Academic All-District representatives who represent the University.Â
McDonald enters her final season with 58 games played and 47 starts during her career at Florida Atlantic. With a total of 3,257 minutes in her career, she goes into the last season as a two-time recipient of the American players to watch. McDonald was named to the 2023 list as one of the first players to be announced in FAU's new conference after being named CUSA All-Freshman team in 2022.Â
Horan finished the 2024 season as one of the leading goal scorers and the assists leader for the year. Finishing the season with two assists, she brought her career total to seven. She recorded a start in all 18 matches during the '24 season, moving her to 51 games played in her career as an Owl. With her stellar performance, she was named to the 2024 American Third Team All-Conference and one of the CSC Academic All-District.Â
For the full release from the American, visit https://theamerican.org/sports/wsoc
FAU will kick off the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 14, against Loyola (MD). The match will take place inside the Flager Credit Union Stadium at 7 p.m.Â
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women's soccer, follow FAU on social media @FAUWSoccer.
#WIP
Defender Daniella Diaz, midfielder Morgan McDonald, and forward Michelle Horan were named the 2025 American players to watch for the Owls. All three are returning for their final collegiate season at FAU.Â
Diaz was a leading defender in the 2024 season for Florida Atlantic. She recorded a game-winning goal for her first collegiate goal and helped the Owls record five shutouts last season. Diaz was recognized as an American Weekly Honorable Mention recipient the week of September 23. With her tremendous efforts on and off the pitch, she was named as one of the six CSC Academic All-District representatives who represent the University.Â
McDonald enters her final season with 58 games played and 47 starts during her career at Florida Atlantic. With a total of 3,257 minutes in her career, she goes into the last season as a two-time recipient of the American players to watch. McDonald was named to the 2023 list as one of the first players to be announced in FAU's new conference after being named CUSA All-Freshman team in 2022.Â
Horan finished the 2024 season as one of the leading goal scorers and the assists leader for the year. Finishing the season with two assists, she brought her career total to seven. She recorded a start in all 18 matches during the '24 season, moving her to 51 games played in her career as an Owl. With her stellar performance, she was named to the 2024 American Third Team All-Conference and one of the CSC Academic All-District.Â
For the full release from the American, visit https://theamerican.org/sports/wsoc
FAU will kick off the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 14, against Loyola (MD). The match will take place inside the Flager Credit Union Stadium at 7 p.m.Â
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women's soccer, follow FAU on social media @FAUWSoccer.
#WIP
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's SoccerInside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #12
Friday, October 31
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #11
Thursday, October 23
Hometown Team Series - Madison Micioni
Tuesday, October 21
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #10
Thursday, October 16