MALIBU, California – Joelle Anderson of the Pepperdine women's soccer team has signed a two-year professional contract with the Houston Dash. 

The San Jose native wrapped up a phenomenal five-year collegiate career as a Wave with one the best seasons in program history in 2021. She led Pepperdine this season in goals (11) and points (30). Her 2021 stats put her in the top 10 of three Pepperdine single-season categories which include points (tied for eighth), goals (tied for 10th) and assists (eight, which is tied for 10th). Anderson was also tied for 16th in the nation in game-winning goals.  In addition, through her five years as a Wave, Anderson finished in the top three in multiple career categories including tied for first in game-winning goals (15), tied for first in assists (24), third in goals (35) and third in points (94). She is also one of the only three players in program history with at least 30 goals and 20 assists.

Her 2021 campaign helped propel the Waves to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time, named a national seed for the fifth time, advanced to the second round for the eighth time and out of the second round to the round of 16 for the fourth time. She scored a goal in two postseason games against South Dakota State and NC State, as well as tallied two assists against the Jackrabbits and one assist against the Wolfpack.

Anderson's career list of awards also includes All-West Region four times (including three times on the first team and once on the second team), her fifth nod for All-WCC (three times on the first team and twice on the second team), Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI second team, and WCC All-Freshman team honors. She was named WCC Offensive Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks during the first two weeks of September (6th and 14th) this season. Anderson has also excelled in the classroom, earning WCC All-Academic honorable mention twice and WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll "bronze" honors for four consecutive years. She was one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award and received Senior CLASS Award All-American second team, which marks the first for the program.

Anderson will be reunited with another Wave, Bri Visalli, in Houston. In 2017, when Visalli was a senior and Anderson was a freshman, the Waves won the WCC title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Former Pepperdine assistant coach Twila Kaufman is an assistant coach with the Dash.

The 2022 NWSL season will reportedly start with the "Challenge Cup" tournament from March 19 to May 7, with the regular season to follow. Other Waves in the NWSL include Lynn Williams and Michelle Maemone of the Kansas City Current and Hailey Harbison and Rylee Baisden of the North Carolina Courage.