ALSO IN TODAY’S ROUNDUP, U.S. U-23s finish off La Manga trip with win over Norway and Celtic FC sign former UNC captain Darcy McFarlane and former Pitt defender Jaclyn Poucel
Megan Oyster has officially signed with the Boston Breakers for the 2017 season (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
Today, the Boston Breakers announced the signing of defender Megan Oyster for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Oyster was acquired by Boston from the Washington Spirit via trade in November 2016.
The 24-year old most recently spent time in Australia with the W-League’s Newcastle Jets during the NWSL off-season. She made 12 appearances for the Jets, scoring one goal. For her impressive play overseas, she was named to the W-League Team of the Season.
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In 2015, Oyster was the No.13 overall pick in the NWSL College Draft when she went to the Washington Spirit. In D.C, she started all 25 games she appeared in over two seasons before being traded to Boston.
Also today, Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian reported that the Thorns have acquired goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom from the North Carolina Courage. Eckerstrom spent last season with the Western New York Flash (now Courage) where she was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. The 23-year old made three starts for the Flash last year, making 16 saves. It was not immediately clear what players or assets are heading back to North Carolina.
Eckerstrom will have the opportunity to battle Adrianna France for the starting job in Portland for the 2017 season. Michelle Betos left the club last month to sign a contract in Norway.
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In more NWSL roster news, the Thorns officially announce signing of Ashleigh Sykes. The Australian forward will join the Thorns after coming off a season in the W-League where she scored 12 goals for Canberra United and won the league’s Golden Boot Award.
The Orlando Pride also made some roster adjustments today. The Pride have agreed to new contracts with defender Steph Catley and forward Jamia Fields. Fields made 12 appearances for the Pride last year making six starts. Catley started on the back line in Orlando’s first 11 games last year before going to the Olympics to compete for Australia. She returned carrying an injury and did not play again. The Pride also announced that they have officially waived Australian forward Lisa De Vanna. De Vanna joined the team in Orlando late in the season in 2016 where she saw action in only three games.
U.S. U-23s finish off La Manga trip with 1-0 victory over Norway
Morgan Andrew’s blast in the 34th minute solidified a USA win over Norway in their last game of the three-game series in La Manga, Spain. The team finished the series with an overall record of 2-1-0 after a 2-0 loss to England and a 2-0 victory over Japan.
From 16 yards out, the No.3 overall 2016 NWSL Draft pick and now Boston Breakers midfielder Morgan Andrews hammered a left-footed shot into the back of the net off a missed clear from a Norwegian defender. One goal was all the USA side needed as they held onto the lead through 90 minutes.
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The U.S. U-23 women’s national team will participate in the Thorns Spring Invitational in Portland from March 26- April 1 where they will take on the Houston Dash, the Portland Thorns, and the Chicago Red Stars during this pre-season tournament. NWSL players are expected to remain with their clubs during that time.
Celtic FC sign former UNC captain Darcy McFarlane and Pitt defender Jaclyn Poucel
Yesterday, Upper V Athlete Management announced that Celtic FC has signed former UNC captain and midfielder Darcy McFarlane and former University of Pittsburgh defender Jaclyn Poucel.
McFarlane, a California native and former co-captain of the 2016 Tar Heels, returned for her senior season at UNC after an ACL tear sidelined her in in 2015. The defensive midfielder led her team to the College Cup before falling to West Virginia in the semifinals.
Upper V Athlete @dmcf11 has signed with @CelticFCWomen of the @SWPL. Congrats Darcy! @ncwomenssoccer @UNCwomensSoccer @uppervathletes pic.twitter.com/CRpLAerssr
— Upper V Athlete Mgmt (@uppervathletes) March 6, 2017
Poucel will be joining Celtic after spending last season with IA Akranes in Iceland. There, she made 18 appearances. Prior to that, the former Pitt standout played with NiceFutis in the Naisten Liiga in Finland in 2015.
Upper V Athlete @JaclynPoucel has signed with @CelticFCWomen of the @SWPL. Congrats Jaclyn! @Pitt_WSOC @uppervathletes pic.twitter.com/kpX8AC5qAJ
— Upper V Athlete Mgmt (@uppervathletes) March 6, 2017
