DI players head to the WPSL for summer

by Travis Clark

May 11, 2018

The 2018 Women’s Premier Soccer League begins in earnest this weekend, after a couple of games kicked off the season a week ago.

Like the UWS, the WPSL serves as a home for Division I players looking to stay sharp and in shape. Some of the premier talent is set to take flight around the country.

MORE: Division I players competing in the UWS

Here’s a look at where some players are heading this year.

M Parker Roberts, Asheville City SC (Florida)

The U.S. youth international’s heading to Asheville for the summer, after a stellar start to her career in Florida. A First Team All-SEC performer last year, she’ll be a building block for an Asheville team that won its opener last weekend, 1-0 against Chattanooga FC.

F Hannah Betfort, Charleston Fleet FC (Wake Forest)

The freshman and Charleston native enjoyed a solid start to her college career. Playing 1,160 minutes for the Demon Deacons, Betfort bagged five goals and added an assist. She’ll look to replicate that role with the Fleet.

M Emily Ogle, Cleveland Ambassadors (Penn State)

Ogle’s ceiling as a professional is something to keep an eye on. A smart, cerebral player, she was a key piece to Penn State’s 2015 national championship, and a key contributor on the 2016 U.S. U20 WNT World Cup squad. Does she have full national team upside? She might struggle from an athletic or dynamic perspective, though she could be one of the top players in the WPSL this summer.

D Meaghan Nally, Washington Spirit Reserves (Georgetown)

A native of Herndon, Va., Nally’s set to stay in the area for the summer and play for the Spirit’s reserve side. She grew into a starting role last fall as a sophomore, after a strong freshman season, featuring off the bench during the team’s run to the College Cup.

M/F Karlie Paschall, Nashville Rhythm FC (Duke)

The talented Tennessee native returns close to home after her first year in school, where she featured mostly as a super sub. She’ll look to stay in shape while playing for the Rhythm, and should be a starter in the fall.

D Kristen Amarikwa, Fresno FC Ladies (San Jose State)

A dominant defensive force in the Mountain West, Amerikwa didn’t quite reach the same standard last fall as she set for herself as a freshman in 2016. The Bakersfield native is set for a stint with Fresno FC Ladies.

F Lucy Whipp, Long Island Fury (St. John’s(w))

The England native scored just a single goal as a junior last fall, while setting up five tallies. She’ll look to up her production for both the summer and her final season of college soccer.

GK Arielle Schechtman, LA Galaxy San Diego (Georgetown)

Since transferring to Georgetown prior to the 2016 season, Schechtman’s been one of the best goalkeepers on the East Coast. She conceded just seven goals this past season and will look to lead LA Galaxy’s defense to contention this season.

M/F Jordan DiBiasi, MVLA Wolves (Stanford)

The Colorado native will stick around the Bay Area for the summer, competing for the club side’s WPSL team. She knows how to score big goals in big games, netting twice in last year’s College Cup Semifinal, and is one of the premier attackers on a loaded Stanford side.

F Sarah Segan, Legacy W76 (William & Mary)

A talented player in the CAA, Segan’s amassed 18 goals in two seasons. The Pennsylvania native will stay in the Old Dominion for the summer to suit up for the Legacy.

D Samantha Kleedtke, Motor City FC (Wisconsin)

Started all 22 games as a freshman for Wisconsin, and the Michigan Hawk product is back home for Motor City FC, one of the premier teams in the league. Kleedtke is one of several talented player that will take the field for the side.

M Savannah DeMelo, Beach FC (USC)

Another loaded team, Beach FC features players from West Coast programs, including USC, UCLA and Long Beach State. DeMelo could be in and out of the squad depending on her U20 World Cup preparations, though she’s one of many top players on the team.

GK Justice Stanford, Pensacola FC (South Alabama)

The Texan is one of college soccer’s most consistent players, setting records as a freshman starter for South Alabama. She logged almost 2,000 minutes between the posts last fall, and will set up shop in Florida this summer.

F Katie Pingel, Fram Ajax (Long Beach State)

Pingel’s one of a handful of quality Division I players joining Fram for the summer. A smooth player with the ball, Pingel will be looking to take a step forward after scoring three times and adding two assists last fall at Long Beach State.

M/D Jemma Purfield, Phoenix Del Sol (Arizona State)

The standout defender followed head coach Graham Winkworth to his new job in the Pac-12, where she played through a bout of mononucleosis after moving to the wing from left back. Healthy and sharp in the spring, the England youth international should play a significant role for Phoenix Del Sol this summer.

F Morgan Weaver, Seattle Sounders Women (Washington State)

The Seattle-area native heads back across the state for the summer, where she’s on the roster for Seattle Sounders Women. Weaver bagged eight goals in the fall and has earned call-ups to the U.S. U23 WNT in the past.