Sarah Clark (soccer) explained

Sarah Clark
Birth Date:26 March 1999
Birth Place:Durham, North Carolina
Height:5 ft 6 in
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Spokane Zephyr
Collegeyears1:2017–2019
College1:Purdue Boilermakers
Collegecaps1:36
Collegegoals1:3
Collegeyears2:2020–2022
College2:Virginia Cavaliers
Collegecaps2:61
Collegegoals2:0
Years1:2023
Clubs1:North Carolina Courage
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2023–2024
Clubs2:Canberra United
Caps2:16
Goals2:1
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Spokane Zephyr
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Club-Update:June 26, 2024

Sarah G. Clark (born March 26, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Spokane Zephyr FC of the USL Super League. She previously played for the North Carolina Courage and Canberra United FC. She played college soccer for the Purdue Boilermakers and Virginia Cavaliers.

Early life

Clark was born in Durham, North Carolina, and grew up in Brighton, Michigan. She is the youngest of four children of Purdue University alumni Bill and Lori Clark. Her family often played pickup soccer while in North Carolina in the summer; her uncle Mike Clark played professionally for the Columbus Crew, and her brother, Will, later played for UNC Wilmington in college.[1] Clark developed her corner kick ability from a young age while practicing with her brother.[2]

Clark played club soccer for the Michigan Hawks' youth squad, winning five straight Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) conference titles from 2013 to 2017 and back-to-back ECNL national championships in 2016 and 2017.[3] She graduated from Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.[3]

College career

Clark regularly started as a center back in her first season at Purdue in 2017 and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.[3] [2] She moved to play defensive center midfield in her sophomore season, leading the team with six assists and converting three penalty kicks.[3] [2] She was named team captain the next year but sat out the season with a medical redshirt.[1]

Clark transferred to the University of Virginia in 2020.[4] She made 61 appearances in three seasons as a defender.[1] [5]

Club career

North Carolina Courage, 2023

After going undrafted in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Clark was signed by the North Carolina Courage as a national team replacement player in June 2023.[6] She assisted on a Haley Hopkins goal in her professional debut, a 5–0 Challenge Cup win against the Orlando Pride on July 29, 2023.[5] She played in one other league cup game that season as the Courage defended their Challenge Cup title.[5]

Canberra United, 2023–2024

Clark was signed by Canberra United FC of Australia's A-League Women in December 2023.[7] [8]

Spokane Zephyr FC, 2024–

Clark signed with Spokane Zephyr FC in the inaugural season of the USL Super League.[9]

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCup[10] Playoffs[11] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
North Carolina Courage2023NWSL00200020
Canberra United FC2023–24A-League161161
Career total1612000181

Honors

North Carolina Courage

2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sarah Clark. August 7, 2020 . Virginia Cavaliers. November 29, 2023.
  2. News: Purdue soccer defender Sarah Clark coming up big from the corner. Baird. Nathan. September 18, 2018. Journal & Courier. November 29, 2023.
  3. Web site: Sarah Clark – Soccer. Purdue University Athletics. November 29, 2023.
  4. News: Virginia Women's Soccer Announces 2020–21 Newcomers. May 4, 2020. Virginia Cavaliers. November 29, 2023.
  5. Web site: Sarah Clark. North Carolina Courage. November 29, 2023.
  6. News: Courage sign three to National Team replacement contracts. June 27, 2023. North Carolina Courage. November 29, 2023.
  7. News: US Defender Clark Adds to United Squad. 2023-12-14. 2024-05-08. Canberra United FC.
  8. News: Canberra bolsters backline stocks with US college star. subscription. Polkinghorne. David. 2024-12-13. The Canberra Times.
  9. Web site: USL Spokane . May 28, 2024 . Defender Sarah Clark Joins Spokane Zephyr FC, Bringing Experience to the Backline . May 28, 2024 . Spokane Zephyr FC . en-US.
  10. Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  11. Includes NWSL Playoffs, A-League Women Finals series