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BOYDS, Md. (Mar. 5, 2015) – The Washington Spirit announced today the club has signed all three of their selections from the 2015 NWSL College Draft, coming to terms with defenders Whitney Church, Caprice Dydasco and Megan Oyster. Per league and club policy, details of the contracts were not made public.
“I am very happy to officially welcome Whitney, Caprice and Megan to the Washington Spirit,” said Spirit general manager and head coach Mark Parsons. “It was important to us to demonstrate our commitment to these young players by signing them before the start of our preseason camp. It has been great getting to know all three of them over the last few weeks and I look forward to seeing them in action on the field in March.”
The No. 30 overall selection the college draft, defender Whitney Church helped lead the Nittany Lions to four NCAA Tournament appearances. In her final season with Penn State, Church was a NSCAA All-America first team selection and M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Award semifinalist in addition to capturing her second Big Ten Defender of the Year title.
During Church’s sophomore season, Penn State advanced to its first National Championship and by her senior year the team had earned its 10th NCAA quarterfinal appearance. Church started 89 of Penn State’s 100 matches from 2011-14 and is the team’s all-time leader in minutes played (8,243).
Church is a local to the Washington D.C. area and played club soccer with the Loudoun U-18 squad, which was coached by Randy May. She also participated in Virginia Olympic Development Program from 2005 to 2010.
“For years, I’ve been able to watch this team play hoping that one day I could have the opportunity to play alongside them,” Church said. “To have that dream now become a reality is absolutely amazing.”
Dydasco, who was the No. 19 overall draft pick, played in 94 career games with UCLA and ranked 10th on the Bruin’s career list. During that time she tallied 23 assists, eighth-best in team history. She also played alongside Megan Oyster on the 2013 NCAA Championship winning UCLA team.
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Dydasco started all 24 games in 2014 for the Bruins. She finished the season with three goals and totaled a career-best 13 points in addition to being part of a defensive unit that tied the school record with 19 shutouts and a team goals-against-average of 0.245.
With the U.S. Women’s National Team Program, Dydasco began her involvement at the U-14 level and is
currently with the U-23 U.S. National Team. She assisted on the game-winner against Norway as the U-23s
clinched the Six Nations Tournament in March 2014.
“I am very excited to officially be a part of the spirit family. I can’t wait to meet the team and staff and help contribute to the team’s success this season,” Dydasco said.
The No. 13 overall selection, Oyster was a leader on the Bruin defense that recorded a 0.245 goals against average, shut out a school-record 19 opponents and allowed just six goals (also a school record) and only allowed 55 shots on goal all season. Oyster started all 24 games and played 2,061 minutes. She won the NCAA National Championship with the Bruins in 2013 with a 1-0 victory over Florida State.
“I am so grateful to the club and Mark Parsons for this opportunity,” Oyster said. “It’s a dream come true to play with such talented players and for a great organization. I can’t wait to get to D.C and start working towards a championship.”
The Washington Spirit will begin its 2015 season on the road facing the Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, April 10. The Spirit will make its home debut against FC Kansas City at Maureen Hendricks Field the following weekend on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
Washington Spirit season tickets are available now (10 home matches), with packages starting as low as $170. Check out all of the phenomenal NWSL soccer at the Maryland SoccerPlex by calling 301-337-8579.
