Boyds, Md., (12/17/19) – The Washington Spirit have signed forward Jessie Scarpa. Per club and league policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

After joining the University of North Carolina in 2014, Scarpa produced a strong freshman campaign that earned her ACC All-Freshman Team honors. Scarpa also trained with the U.S. U-20 National Team in the Spring and Summer of 2015 following her freshman campaign at Carolina.

Scarpa flourished during her second year in Carolina Blue after transitioning from defender to forward. The Florida native started in all of UNC’s 21 games during her sophomore year, scoring eight goals and notching a team-leading eight assists. Scarpa also earned First Team All-ACC and NSCAA All-Southeast Region honors on the back of her breakout season.

Scarpa was a redshirt in her junior year with the Tarheels as she joined the US U-20s at the 2016 World Cup in Papua, New Guinea. Scarpa rejoined the Tarheels in 2017 and quickly caught the attention of many, being named to the Pre-season All-ACC team. Scarpa’s junior season was cut short after injuries to her ACL and MCL, but she returned to the pitch in 2018 appearing in nine games.

During her time at Chapel Hill, Scarpa played a total of 2,782 minutes, scored 11 goals and earned ten assists with a career total 32 points.

In high school, Scarpa was a standout player for George Jenkins High School. The forward finished with career totals of 90 goals and 45 assists in three years of high school soccer and won the 2013 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year award.

Spirit Head Coach Richie Burke had this to say on the signing: “Jess is quite versatile and can play in a number of roles for our team next year and I’m looking forward to seeing her in the preseason in a few short months.”

Burke continued on to say this about Scarpa joining the Spirit: “We had Jess in to train last summer and really wanted to sign her then… the impression Jess made on our staff was sufficient enough for us to closely monitor her progress when she subsequently went to play in Sweden – and the success Jess enjoyed playing professionally overseas only served to confirm that we believe she will be a great addition to our squad for the 2020 NWSL campaign.”

Transaction: Washington Spirit sign forward Jessie Scarpa

Jessie Scarpa

Position: Forward

Height: 5-7

Date of Birth: May 5, 1996

Hometown: Lakeland, Fl.

Last Club: UNC / Lidkoping FK