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SPIRIT SELECT SULLIVAN WITH FIRST DRAFT PICK

By Patrick Wood, 01/18/18, 10:30AM EST

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National Team Player to Join Washington Ahead of NWSL in RVA March 17

CHICAGO — (January 18, 2018) — The Washington Spirit has selected U.S. Women’s National Team and Stanford University midfielder Andi Sullivan with the first overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.

Sullivan, a Lorton, Va. native, led Stanford to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship title during her senior season, and scored the final goal of her collegiate career during a 3-2 win over UCLA in the final. 

She finished her decorated college career with 20 goals, 19 assists and eight game-winning goals. Earlier this month, she was awarded the 2017 Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s most prestigious individual honor. 

“It’s such an honor and a privilege to go No. 1,” Sullivan said. “There are so many amazing players in the league so it truly means a lot to me. It’s an exciting time for the league, and I’m very excited to come back to the D.M.V. and play in the stadium where I grew up watching games.”

In addition to her contributions at Stanford, Sullivan has continued to climb through the ranks of the U.S. national team player pool, rising from the U-20 level to the U-23 level, and is now a regular member of the senior national team. The 22-year-old midfielder has seven international caps so far in her young career.

“This is a huge opportunity for the Spirit and Andi to create something special,” said Spirit Head Coach and General Manager Jim Gabarra. “With her addition to our current roster, we have major optimism for the 2018 season and beyond.”

Prior to arriving at Stanford, Sullivan played in the Washington, D.C. area for Bethesda Soccer Club, McLean Youth Soccer and Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club. She represented the Spirit organization at the W-League level in 2013, shortly after she helped lead the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team to the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship title in Guatemala, scoring two goals and recording one assist. 

She also played at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan, starting all three group matches.

The Spirit has announced two exhibition games which will be included in the club’s 2018 NWSL preseason schedule. Washington will return to Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, Va. for the second straight year on Saturday’s March 10 for a friendly against 22-time women’s college champion University of North Carolina. 

On March 17, the Spirit will host the first ever NWSL match played in Richmond, Va. when they face the North Carolina Courage at the historic City Stadium. Tickets for the game in Richmond are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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