As the Orlando Pride continue to round out their roster for the 2020 season, two new rookies have signed contracts with the team. The Pride announced on March 3 the signings of two-year contracts by seventh-overall draftee Courtney Petersen and 10th-overall pick Konya Plummer. Each player signed two-year deals with an option for one more year.
Petersen and Plummer are two of four defenders who were selected by the Pride in the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft and two of seven draftees, altogether. Plummer, who captains the Jamaican women’s national team, is the first Jamaican-born player to be drafted in league history.
“We’re very happy to come to terms with both Courtney and Konya,” Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said, per the team’s press release. “Each of them adds a new dynamic to our Orandlo team and provides us with flexibility, contributing both on the back line or even in the midfield. We’re very excited about both of them and cannot wait for them to start their NWSL careers in Orlando.”
Petersen started 58 of her 78 appearances over a five-year career at the University of Virginia, prior to being drafted by the Pride. In those games, she scored five goals and 12 assists. Petersen earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors, All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and a Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Second Team selection for her junior- and senior-year performances.
Internationally, Petersen has played for the U.S. at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. She made two appearances in the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in November 2016.
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As for Plummer, she scored a goal in 25 appearances on the University of Central Florida’s back line. In her final season, she earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and also also named to the All-AAC First Team. Prior to becoming a Knight, Plummer played for Southeastern University, playing 38 games in two seasons.
Her Jamaican squad reached the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history, as Plummer played all available 270 minutes in three matches. In total, she has recorded 22 appearances for Jamaica.
For more on the Pride, as they continue finalizing their roster for the 2020 preseason, follow Victor on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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