Eagan, Ebert Fortify Sky Blue Defense
Ebert in action with Sky Blue
(Dan Salvo - Dazzle Photography)
Jersey Sky Blue made a move to further fortify its defense today with the signing of two top BIG EAST collegiate defenders in Kelly Eagan and Lauren Ebert, Sky Blue Soccer announced today. Both players have been full-time starters in each of their first two seasons on the college level – Eagan at Villanova University and Ebert at the University of Connecticut.
Eagan joins former teammate and Villanova goalkeeper Jillian Loyden on the Sky Blue roster while Ebert returns for her second season with Sky Blue. The two backs will strive to maintain Sky Blue’s status as the best defense in the W-League after allowing just six goals in 14 regular season games during the 2007 season.
Jersey Sky Blue opens its second season in the W-League on May 10 on the road against the Boston Renegades. Sky Blue will make its 2008 home debut on Saturday, May 31 when it hosts the Renegades at 7:30 pm at Drew University.
“Ebert is one of our many returning defenders from last season and Eagan is a valuable addition,” said Jersey Sky Blue Head Coach Denise Reddy. “Both players had good seasons with their respective colleges last fall and will help contribute to our defensive success this season.”
Both Eagan and Ebert boast youth national team experience with the United States Under-17 National Team. In addition, Eagan was a member of the US U-20 National Team pool in 2007.
Eagan has two successful seasons under her belt at Villanova earning SoccerBuzz All-America third team honors in 2007 and All-BIG EAST first team honors in both seasons – the first Villanova player to earn all-conference honors as a freshman. With Eagan at center back, the Wildcats boasted one of the best college defenses in each of the past two seasons with just 22 goals against and 30 shutouts in 43 games for a 27-8-8 record. Eagan started all 43 of those games with four goals scored – all game-winning goals.
“Eagan is a composed player with the ability to create something offensively out of the back,” Reddy said. “She reads the game very well and is a good all around defender.”
Ebert returns to Sky Blue after appearing in six games during the 2007 W-League season. She joined Sky Blue after a highly successful run in the USL’s Super-Y League with the Parsippany Mischief, who claimed the 2003 Super Y-League National Championship with Ebert earning 2003 Super Y-League Most Valuable Player of the Year honors. At UConn, Ebert has started 40 games over her first two seasons with two goals and four assists. She helped the Huskies to a 25-13-6 mark over her first two seasons with a trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in 2007.
“Ebert is a tenacious defender with good technical ability,” Reddy said. “She is an intelligent player both with and without the ball and dominant in the air.”
Season tickets and group packages are available now through the Sky Blue Soccer website – www.SkyBlueSoccer.com – for Jersey Sky Blue 2008 W-League season.
SKY BLUE PROFILE: Kelly Eagan
• Hometown: St. James, NY
• Born: May 30, 1988
• Member of the United States Under-20 National Team pool in 2007
• Former member of the US U-17 National Team
• Will be a junior this fall at Villanova University
• As a sophomore in 2007, started all 21 games on defense as the Wildcats tied a team record by allowing just 11 goals all season while posting an 11-4-6 mark
• Named to the SoccerBuzz All-America third team
• Earned NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region second team and All-BIG EAST first team honors
• Scored two goals – both game-winners in victories over Virginia Commonwealth and Georgetown
• As a freshman in 2006, started all 22 games at center defender as Villanova posted 15 shutouts and recorded a 16-4-2 mark
• Earned NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region second team honors and All-BIG EAST first team honors
• Scored two goals – both game-winners in 1-0 wins
• Played scholastically at Smithtown High School earning All-Long Island and All-New York honors
• Named the Suffolk County Player of the Year
• Played on the club level for the Commack Emeralds leading them to Eastern New York State Cup championships from 2003 to 2005 and the Region I finals in 2005
• Earned NSCAA Youth All-America honors in 2005
SKY BLUE PROFILE: Lauren Ebert
• Hometown: Hillsborough, NJ
• Born: March 12, 1988
• Played for Jersey Sky Blue in the W-League in 2007 appearing in six games while posting one assist
• Former member of the United States U-17 National Team
• Will be a junior this fall at the University of Connecticut
• As a sophomore in 2007, started all 22 games and posted one goal and three assists as the Huskies recorded a 14-6-2 mark
• Helped Connecticut advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament
• As a freshman in 2006, started all 18 games she appeared in posting one goal and one assist to help the Huskies to an 11-7-4 mark
• Former Olympic Development Program ‘88 National Pool Selection
• Four-year letter winner and All-State first team selection at Hillsborough High School
• Named to the USL Super Y-League Under-17 National Team and Super Y-League select team
• Led the Parsippany Mischief to the 2003 Super Y-League National Championship earning 2003 Super Y-League Most Valuable Player of the Year honors