RILEY TIERNAN SETS up just inside the box on a misty Los Angeles day at the end of March. She watches as Angel City FC teammate Katie Zelem kicks the ball wide to Claire Emslie , positioned toward the far-left side of the goal. Emslie crosses the ball about 12 yards out. With three Seattle Reign defenders closing in on her, Tiernan propels her body into the air and heads the ball into the top left corner of the goal, far out of reach.

Not bad for someone who didn't have a contract four weeks earlier.

Now, Tiernan, 23, is one of three finalists for the Rookie of the Year award, which will be announced at the NSWL Awards at 5:30 tonight on ESPN2. Seattle's Maddie Dahlien and Gotham FC 's Lilly Reale are also nominated. Tiernan's path to this moment has been unconventional:

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