Rodriguez, Skroski, Galton & Casey Join Sky Blue FC
Soccer News: Sky Blue FC got its 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft underway on Friday by selecting 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Costa Rica international and Penn State University midfielder Raquel Rodriguez with the second overall pick. The New Jersey club then added Hofstra forward Leah Galton (second round, no. 13 overall), Rutgers defender Erica Skroski (third round, no. 23 overall) and William and Mary goalkeeper Caroline Casey (third round, no. 29).
“I am absolutely delighted with the picks we were able to get in the draft,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “This gives us a great deal of optimism as we approach the season in terms of these players’ abilities and the positions that they are able to play. What each of these players achieved on the college level sets them up perfectly for the professional level, and we are very anxious to get them into preseason camp so we can get started.”
Rodriguez brought home NSCAA All-America First Team and All-Great Lakes First Team honors, All-Big Ten First Team plaudits, and for her performance in the Women’s College Cup she was named to the All-Tournament Team and the Most Outstanding Player on Offense. The 2015 year was a banner year for Rodriguez as she scored the first World Cup goal for the Costa Rican National team in the country’s World Cup debut on June 9 against Spain. She also made Penn State history by becoming the first Nittany Lion to score in a World Cup, and earned LYG Player of the Match honors.
After the selection of Costa Rican midfielder Rodriguez, Sky Blue FC made English forward Galton the no. 13 overall pick. The 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist registered 122 points while at Hofstra University, a program record. Her 48 goals were second most in school history, and the 26 assists on her college resume are tied for most ever in the Pride record books. A native of Harrogate, England, Galton earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year accolades for the past three consecutive years, the only player in CAA history to do so.
Defender Skroski comes to Sky Blue FC after anchoring the Rutgers University back line to its most successful season in program history this past fall, where the Scarlet Knights reached the NCAA College Cup semifinals. The Galloway, N.J., native received 2015 Big East Defender of the Year honors and was also named to the All-Big East First Team and NSCAA All-America Second Team. Despite her defensive position, the four-year starter still contributed five goals and four assists on the offensive end as well during her college campaign.
Goalkeeper Casey is coming off an All-America First Team senior season at the College of William and Mary, recording a 0.88 goals-against-average, 86 saves and 11 shutouts while claiming 2015 CAA Defensive Player of the Year accolades. The Virginia native started every game of her college career and finished with 301 saves (second all-time), 29 saves (third all-time) and 48 wins.
Sky Blue FC made a trade with the Chicago Red Stars in order to select Casey, trading their 33rd and 36th picks for the 29th spot.
2016 season tickets for Sky Blue FC are now on sale. Season ticket packages start as low as $130 and can be purchased online today. For any questions regarding season tickets, call the Sky Blue FC tickets department at 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849), and a team representative will be happy to assist you.
