Spirit finalize terms with three draftees, sign Maryland’s Domenica Hodak

Washington Spirit  |   March 9, 2013
Spirit finalize terms with three draftees, sign Maryland’s Domenica Hodak Featured Image

GERMANTOWN, Md. (Mar. 9, 2013) — The Washington Spirit announced today the signing of four players, including three of its draft picks. Caroline Miller, Tiffany McCarty, Tori Huster and Discovery Pick Domenica Hodak all agreed to terms with the team.

The trio of Miller, McCarty and Hodak are all joining the National Women’s Soccer League after wrapping up their senior seasons in college, while Huster, a Supplemental Draft Pick, played a season of professional soccer in Australia’s W-League in 2012/13.

Domenica Hodak playing for Maryland

Domenica Hodak playing for Maryland

Hodak, a defender out of the University of Maryland, joins the Spirit as a Discovery Pick. The West Sayville, NY native made 82 appearances over her four-year career in College Park, and brings versatility to the Spirit, as she played both in the midfield and in a defensive role for the Terps. Hodak helped lead Maryland to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and second round berth in 2012. Her 82 games played tie her for 15th all-time for most appearances.

A midfielder and native of Ohio, Tori Huster was the Spirit’s second round pick in the NWSL Supplemental Draft. The 23-year-old most recently played a year for the Newcastle Jets in the W-League, where she started in all 12 games of the 2012/13 season. Prior to that, the midfield stalwart was a four-year starter in college at Florida State, an integral part of the 2011 squad that made the College Cup that season. She made 92 appearances during her career for the Seminoles, scoring 20 goals and adding 19 assists. Huster has also made numerous appearances in camps with the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team, and was named a first team Scholar All American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2011, a third team All American, as well as first team All-ACC in her final season at FSU.

Reuniting with Huster on the Spirit is former Seminole teammate Tiffany McCarty. The striker was the club’s first-ever draft pick, selected second overall in the inaugural NWSL Draft. The Laurel, Md. native returns home after a decorated career at Florida State. A semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in both 2009 and 2011, she made 98 appearances during her collegiate career, scoring 63 goals and adding 24 assists, including totals of 18 and 17 in 2011 and 2012 respectively, making back to back appearances in the College Cup in those seasons. The dynamic forward also has represented the U.S. Women’s National Team at a variety of youth levels, including Under-17s, Under-18s Under-20s and most recently with the Under-23s.

Another Maryland native to officially join the Spirit is Rockville’s Caroline Miller, a second round pick in the NWSL draft. The University of Virginia forward finished her college career with her best season statistically, scoring 20 goals in 24 appearances for the Cavaliers, finishing as the second highest goal scorer in program history with 45 tallies. She was the school’s first MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist, and was a third team NSCAA All American in 2011 and a first team selection in 2012. In all, she played a total of 82 games for Virginia, adding 19 career assists to her impressive goal total.

The Spirit opens up the 2013 NWSL season on the road against The Boston Breakers on April 14. The home schedule at the Maryland SoccerPlex begins on April 20 against the Western New York Flash, the first of four straight games at home. Also included in that quartet are matchups with Sky Blue FC (April 27), Portland Thorns FC (May 4) and Boston Breakers (May 11).

Name: Victoria “Tori” Huster
Height: 5’5”
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Previous Club: Newcastle Jets, Australia
College: Florida State University

Name: Domenica Hodak
Height: 5’4”
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Hometown: West Sayville, NY
College: University of Maryland

Name: Tiffany McCarty
Height: 5’4”
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Hometown: Laurel, Md.
College: Florida State University

Name: Caroline Miller
Height: 5’5”
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Hometown: Rockville, Md.
College: University of Virginia

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