Jenna Gray Nighswonger (born November 28, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Early life
Nighswonger played youth soccer for Slammers FC, winning a U14 ECNL National Championship. She also participated in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.
Nighswonger graduated from Huntington Beach High School in December 2018. She played soccer for the school until her junior year, when she instead opted to play for a United States Soccer Development Academy club.
College career
In May 2017, Nighswonger committed to play college soccer at Florida State. In 2019, she played for United Women's Soccer club LA Galaxy OC and played in the league's national championship, which LA Galaxy OC won in a 1–0 victory over Calgary Foothills WFC.
She played at Florida State from 2019 to 2022. Nighswonger made her Florida State debut on August 22, 2019 against TCU. She scored her first collegiate goal on September 1, 2019 against USC. She recorded her first brace on September 12, 2019 against Colorado.
The Seminoles reached the finals of the 2020 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament, drawing in regulation against Santa Clara University 1–1 on Nighswonger's 63rd-minute goal before losing in a penalty shoot-out, and won the 2021 tournament. Nighswonger was especially noted for scoring Olympico goals directly from her left-footed corner kicks, including an equalizing Olympico goal in the 2022 ACC championship match, a Michigan own goal forced by an Olympico goal attempt in the 2021 NCAA Division I tournament quarterfinals, and two Olympico goals scored in separate September 2022 matches against Louisville and Boston College, the latter of which was featured on SportsCenter.
The Atlantic Coast Conference named Nighswonger the most valuable player of the 2022 ACC women's soccer tournament. Nighswonger was also voted as one of three finalists for the 2022 Hermann Trophy recognizing the nation's best collegiate players.
As a student at Florida State, Nighswonger majored in business and finance.
Club career
In November 2022, Nighswonger said she was eschewing the fifth year of NCAA eligibility granted by the association due to the COVID-19 pandemic and considering playing for a European club after finishing her career at Florida State.
Nighswonger was among the final registrants for the 2023 NWSL Draft and was considered by draft analysts as a top prospect as a midfielder. On January 13, 2023, NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC selected Nighswonger with the 4th overall pick in the draft.
NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2023–
Nighswonger signed a three-year contract with Gotham FC on March 17, 2023. She made her NWSL regular-season debut with Gotham FC as a defender, substituting for an injured Ali Krieger during the club's 2023 NWSL season opener at Los Angeles. On June 6, 2023, the NWSL named Nighswonger its May Rookie of the Month.
International career
Nighswonger represented the United States under-20 team at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. She also appeared for the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-23 teams.
Personal life
Nighswonger has an older sister with whom she played recreational soccer as a child, and is a fan of Manchester United.
In 2022, Nighswonger donated $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, using money from her name, image, and likeness deal with Garnet & Gold.