Aston Villa's Kirsty Hanson is currently the second-highest scorer in the WSL with 12 goals, surpassing notable players like Vivianne Miedema and Alessia Russo. She trails behind leader Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, who has 19 goals.
Key points
Kirsty Hanson is second in WSL top scorers.
She has 12 goals this season.
Vivianne Miedema has 10 goals.
Khadija Shaw leads with 19 goals.
Players from lower-ranked teams can be top scorers.
As the season draws to a close, attention turns to individual accolades. Scanning down the list of WSL top scorers, there is one name that stands out in second place - Aston Villa's Kirsty Hanson.
It is somewhat unusual - although not unprecedented - to see a player outside of the top four or five teams to be that high in the standings.
The Scotland international has 12 goals - two ahead of Vivianne Miedema in third - but still seven behind runaway leader Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw.
WSL top scorers
| Player | Club | Goals |
| Khadija Shaw | Man City | 19 |
| Kirsty Hanson | Aston Villa | 12 |
| Vivianne Miedema | Man City | 10 |
| Kerolin | Man City | 9 |
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal | 9 |
| Stina Blackstneius | Arsenal | 9 |
What makes her place even more incredible is last time Hanson hit double figures for league goals was in the 2017/18 season for Doncaster Rovers Belles, when she scored 11 times. She has already surpassed that, and it is a return to a familiar position that has been key to her form.
"I've worked hard and I always work hard," she exclusively told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's WSL match against Arsenal.
"I'm in more of a central role. I used to play that when I was younger and I scored a lot when I was in there as well. Then most of my career, I've been a winger, so I've been more assisting than scoring.
Q&A
How many goals has Kirsty Hanson scored this WSL season?
Kirsty Hanson has scored 12 goals this WSL season.
Who is the leading goal scorer in the WSL?
The leading goal scorer in the WSL is Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw with 19 goals.
Which players are behind Kirsty Hanson in the WSL top scorers list?
Vivianne Miedema is in third place with 10 goals, while Alessia Russo and Kerolin are tied with 9 goals each.
Is it common for players from lower-ranked teams to be top scorers in the WSL?
It is somewhat unusual but not unprecedented for players from lower-ranked teams to be among the top scorers in the WSL.
Related Articles
Sports
Félix Bolaños y su deseo de estar con el Rayo en la final: "No le puede caer mal a nadie"
Félix Bolaños apoya al Rayo Vallecano y quiere estar en la final de la Conference League.
Marca··1 min read
Sports
PSG winger considering summer exit as Barcelona weigh up move – report
PSG winger Bradley Barcola open to summer exit; Barcelona interested.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL·Preview
How does the NFL determine the Commanders' 2026 opponents?
How the NFL Determines the Commanders' 2026 Opponents
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Texas A&M star OF snubbed from Baseball America's top freshmen list
Texas A&M's Boston Kellner left off Baseball America's top freshmen list.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Feature
Revisiting Robby Snelling's football, baseball prep career ahead of MLB debut
Robby Snelling set for MLB debut with Miami Marlins on May 8!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Feature
Why Stockport’s Dave Challinor stands out as the master of a promotion push
Dave Challinor stands out as a master in playoff promotions.
"As soon as I get in that goalscoring opportunities, I try to hit them. I've managed to do that this season and it's been a really nice feeling.
"Throughout the season, I've got better at doing certain things as a striker, but I bring different things as well because I'm a very forward-thinking player.
"I don't just like to set it, I'll run in behind as well and do the hard work. Being a winger, I've also got that defensive role in me. I'm not saying every striker doesn't do it, but you see some might not do those defensive duties as much.
"When Natalia [Arroyo] first came in, she had wing-back roles, and still does. I suggested that I can play narrower, I can play a striker role and I don't think she knew that at the time, but since I've been there, I've showed what I can do.
"Even at Scotland now, they're starting to put me in that role as well and it's showing I'm not just a winger, I can come inside and I've got different attributes. It's also nice because I can play anywhere and they'll know I'll always do that work.
"I feel like a little girl again from playing there when I was younger because I've not had this many goals in my career since then. It's been exciting, but I've still got more that I should do and more to come hopefully.
"I want to improve things like my hold-up play, reading the game, because teams know how to defend me now and I think they will next season, so it's about adapting my game even further to make sure it's harder for defenders to know how to stop me.
Kirsty Hanson in the WSL 2025/26
"It's also about reflecting and analysing my game like I always do and getting better, fitter and stronger and making sure I can be consistent in that and do it again next year.
"It [being second in the WSL top scorers list] shows that players like myself are working hard and I like to get better each game and each season, so seeing that hard work pays off."
Aston Villa will be hoping for a repeat of their last two WSL matches against Arsenal. They were 5-2 winners at Villa Park last season - the location of this weekend's match-up - and secured a late 1-1 draw at the Emirates earlier in this campaign.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A
Highlights from the WSL clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Hanson reflected: "I remember at the Emirates, it was a very tight game and we made changes. We have a bench that can make a difference as well, so it's about keeping our standards high because we know we can do it against the best teams.
"Arsenal know how to bounce back, they've got a really good mentality and they were Champions League winners for a reason, so we're not getting too confident.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham
Highlights of the WSL game between Aston Villa and West Ham
"We're on the back of a difficult loss [against West Ham], it was really a game we should have won, so we're frustrated as well. We like to bounce back too, so we want to prove that we are a good enough team.
"It's also our last home game, so we want to make sure we give the fans something to cheer about to thanks for the support for this season.
"It'll be a tough game, but it'll be very close game and hopefully we can get the win and finish on a high at Villa Park."
