13 / Julia Lester
PRONOUNS: She/Her
POSITION: Defender
HEIGHT: 5-4
INTERNATIONAL: USA
HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL
DOB: January 16, 1998 (26 years old)
COLLEGE: University of Florida
PREVIOUS CLUB: Racing Louisville FC
NWSL EXPERIENCE: 3 (1st Reign)
ACQUIRED: Traded to Seattle Reign FC on January 24, 2024, in a three-team trade involving NJ/NY Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC.
TRANSACTIONS: Along with the trade, Seattle Reign FC picked up Lester’s contract through the 2024 season.
PROFESSIONAL (NWSL)
Entering her third season in the league, Lester has totaled 33 regular season appearances (30 starts)...In two season at Louisville, Lester played center back and outside back, earning the fifth-most starts for the club since the 2022 season...Has totaled 81 clearances, 42 interceptions and 22 blocks, the third most for Racing in each category...Registered 88 duels won and holds a tackle success rate of 77.27%.
2023 • LOU • 13/13
Started in all 13 games played for a total of 1,120 minutes...Finished with one shot, 32 duels won, 19 interceptions, six tackles won and a career-high 16 blocks.
2022 • LOU • 20/17
Appeared in all but two regular season games, starting in 17...Recorded two shots, 56 duels won, 28 tackles won, 23 interceptions and six blocks.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (2016-19): Made 69 starts in 86 appearances for the Gators, registering three goals and five assists...As a senior, earned 2019 All-Southeast Region First Team and All-SEC First Team after starting every match at center back...In 2016, named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after starting in 17 of 22 matches played.
YOUTH: Was a four-year member of the Academy of the Holy Names’ team, which advanced to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 2A state semifinal for the first time in 2016...At the club level, was a member of the Tampa Bay United 97 Premier team which won 2015 US Youth Soccer (USYS) U-17 national championship...Four-year member of Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) State team and three-year regional member...Traveled with ODP to Costa Rica in 2014 and Italy in 2015.
Lester NEWS
