Former Women's Soccer Player, Wetzel Signs Pro Contract with Portland Franchise
April 15, 2013
Former OSU soccer star suited up for her new team this past weekend, plays first home match this coming Saturday
PORTLAND, Ore. – Former Oregon State women’s soccer player Courtney Wetzel (2007-10) has signed a one-year contract to play with the Portland Thorns of the newly formed National Women’s Soccer League. Wetzel officially signed with the Thorns earlier this month after playing with the club during the March pre-season.
“This is basically a dream becoming a reality,” Wetzel said of her recent signing. “Every kid wants to play professional sports and especially with women’s sports there are not a lot of opportunities, so when it was announced that the league was forming, it was kind of a now or never type of thing for me.”
Wetzel suited up for her first match with her new team this past Saturday, as the Thorns tied FC Kansas City 1-1, on the road. The Thorns play their first ever home contest this coming Saturday versus the Seattle Reign at 2 p.m.
The Puylallup, Wash., native finished her OSU playing career during the fall of 2010 before heading overseas to play in Germany for six months in one of the country’s upper division teams. The former Beaver midfielder also played for the W-League’s Ottawa Fury last summer, where she shared the pitch with one-time OSU teammate Ashley Seal.
“I don’t think I could have asked for a better place (to play) than Portland,” Wetzel said. “It’s in the middle of school, family and friends so it is the perfect place for me.”
Wetzel concluded her career in Corvallis, setting the program’s all-time record for assists by a senior with her dozen in 2010. She still ranks high in the OSU history books, listed as the player who has the second most assists in program history (22) and third for matches played with 81. She also is fifth all-time for shots taken with her 138.
“We are all very excited and proud for Courtney,” OSU Head Coach Linus Rhode said. “She has always worked very hard at her game, asking questions, looking for ways to improve and I am just happy to see it has all come together for her.”
Wetzel and her new Thorn teammates are scheduled to play a total of 22 matches this season, with 11 of them taking place at Portland’s Jeld-Wen Field.
Wetzel’s Portland Player Page: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/thornsfc/courtney-wetzel
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