New Jersey Club Opens Up Preseason Camp on Monday
Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) officially opens its 2017 preseason camp on Monday, with the team holding its first training session at The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, N.J. Along with the start of preseason camp, the New Jersey club also announced its initial preseason roster on Monday.
“We are very optimistic as we head into our first week of the preseason,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “We have a great array of new talent coming into camp. With so many skillful players taking part in the preseason, it creates a very competitive environment that will challenge everybody to be at their best.”
Among some of the new faces who have arrived at the club came via the 2017 NWSL College Draft, where the team added NCAA champion Southern California’s Kayla Mills and Mandy Freeman, Clemson goalkeeper and Canadian international Kailen Sheridan, Rutgers forward Madison Tiernan, Clemson midfielder Catrina Atanda and Boston College forward McKenzie Meehan. Another key addition into the roster is midfielder Daphne Corboz, a New Jersey native who has spent the past two seasons with Manchester City of the FA Women’s Super League.
Sky Blue FC returns some of its most important playmakers from last season, starting with captain Christie Rampone, who played every minute of every match in 2016. Additional veterans who return to New Jersey for the upcoming NWSL campaign are goalkeeper Caroline Casey; defenders Kelley O’Hara, Erica Skroski and Erin Simon; midfielders Kelly Conheeney, Sarah Killion, Taylor Lytle, Domi Richardson, (2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year) Raquel Rodriguez and Nikki Stanton; and forwards Rachel Breton, Kim DeCesare, Leah Galton, Maya Hayes, Tasha Kai, Sam Kerr, Danielle Schulmann and Catherine Zimmerman.
Also invited into camp are goalkeepers Tori Corsaro and Kristyn Shea; defender Cassidy Benintente; midfielder Jackie Bruno; and forwards Erica Murphy and Alexis McTamney.
Sky Blue FC currently has three matches on the docket for the 2017 preseason. Through a partnership with New York Surf Soccer Club, Sky Blue FC will open its preseason schedule by traveling to Queens and playing St. John’s University at Belson Stadium on Saturday, March 25. Next up on the slate is the University of North Carolina on Saturday, April 1, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. The final game will be a Sunday afternoon pairing with Penn State University on April 9. Kickoff for that contest (location TBD) will take place at 4:00 p.m. Admission for all preseason matches is free of charge.
2017 SKY BLUE FC PRESEASON ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Caroline Casey (William and Mary), Tori Corsaro (Le Moyne), Kristyn Shea (Providence), Kailen Sheridan (Clemson, FP-CAN)
DEFENDERS: Cassidy Benintente (Rutgers), Kayla Mills (Southern California), Mandy Freeman (Southern California), Kelley O’Hara (Stanford, FP-USA), Erica Skroski (Rutgers), Christie Rampone (Monmouth), Erin Simon (Syracuse)
MIDFIELDERS: Catrina Atanda (Clemson), Jackie Bruno (Massachusetts), Kelly Conheeney (Virginia Tech), Daphne Corboz (Georgetown), Sarah Killion (UCLA), Taylor Lytle (Texas Tech), Domi Richardson (Missouri), Raquel Rodriguez (Penn State, INT’L-CRC), Nikki Stanton (Fairfield)
FORWARDS: Rachel Breton (Rutgers), Kim DeCesare (Duke), Leah Galton (Hofstra, INT’L-ENG), Maya Hayes (Penn State), Tasha Kai (Hawaii), Sam Kerr (INT’L-AUS), Alexis McTamney (Monmouth), McKenzie Meehan (Boston College), Erica Murphy (Rutgers), Danielle Schulmann (Connecticut), Madison Tiernan (Rutgers), Catherine Zimmerman (Providence)
Sky Blue FC will play its 2017 regular season home opener when it hosts FC Kansas City on Sunday, April 30, at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. Kickoff for that match is slated for 6:00 p.m., and tickets are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).
Sky Blue FC season, group and individual game tickets are on sale now! For any questions or to purchase 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. Additionally, tickets can also be purchased online.
For all of the latest news on Sky Blue FC, visit the team online and follow on social media: @SkyBlueFC
