Eight Aggies Head to NWSL Preseason Camps
Mar 09, 2015 | Soccer
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – With the opening day of the third National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season a month away, eight Aggies embarked on preseason camps on Monday.
The group is led by two-year NSWL veterans Merritt Mathias and Alyssa Mautz.
Mathias, who starred with Texas A&M in 2010-11, is in camp with Seattle Reign FC after spending two seasons with FC Kansas City. Last season, Mathias played in 20 matches, including 16 starts, for FCKC as the club won the NWSL crown. Mathias started the championship match, playing 71 minutes in FCKC's 2-1 victory against Seattle Reign.
Mautz, an Aggie standout from 2008-10, is headed into her fourth season with the Chicago Red Stars, including her third year in the club's NWSL rendition. Mautz played in 20 matches in 2014, including 12 starts. She tallied three goals on the season, including two game-winning goals.
This list is also highlighted by six departing seniors who spearheaded Texas A&M's historic run to the College Cup in 2014.
Three Aggies were selected in the 2015 NWSL Draft in January and are commencing their rookie campaigns. Shea Groom and Meghan Streight were second-round selections of FC Kansas City and Bianca Brinson was selected by the Boston Breakers in the third round.
The Houston Dash brought a trio of Aggies into camp as non-roster invitees, including goalkeeper Jordan Day, midfielder Allie Bailey and forward Kelley Monogue.
The NWSL season begins on April 10 when the Houston Dash host the Washington Spirit at BBVA Compass Stadium. Each of the league's nine clubs will play a total of 20 games during a 21-week span, with a schedule consisting of 10 matches at home and 10 away. In addition, the clubs will play each opponent twice (home and away) with a third match against four clubs.
The NWSL will take a brief 12-day break from June 7 through June 18 during the group stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015. The League will play approximately 36 matches prior to the World Cup break and 54 matches following it.
The regular season will conclude the weekend of Sept. 5-6 with eight of the nine clubs all in action during the final day of the campaign. The top four teams will once again qualify for the 2015 NWSL playoffs. The two semifinal matches on the weekend of September 12-13 with the championship match scheduled on the weekend of September 26-27.
