Boyds, Md. (Feb. 15, 2019) – Sam Staab, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, is joining the Spirit after a four-year campaign at Clemson University. During her college career, she logged a total of 80 games, 7,360 minutes, and five goals. The 2018 ACC Defensive Player of the Year ranks fourth in school history with 33 assists and is the highest NWSL draft pick in Clemson history.

Stabb is a current player for the U.S. U-23s and started all three games in the 2018 Nordic Tournament, where she scored the championship-clinching goal against Norway.

One word not enough to describe Sam Staab’s feelings on joining the Spirit

“I am so excited, I’m overjoyed, just all the emotions of just happiness and excitement. I can’t wait to play with Jordan and Tegan and Dorian, and just be part of such a young but talented and growing team. I can’t wait to grow as a player and a person, and the organization just seems to fit so well and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” said Staab.

5th grader Sam Staab couldn’t have predicted her future any better

“This is just a dream come true,” Staab said. “I was telling Jordan [DiBiasi] that in 5th grade you write down what you want to be when you’re older. I remember I was going through it when I was home actually, and I wrote I wanted to be a professional soccer player, and just the fact that the opportunity is here and pretty much the dream has come true it just means the world for me. I’m just so excited for it.”