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Sky Blue FC Signs Killion, Grubka to Roster

February 3, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Feb. 3, 2015) - Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that it signed its top two picks from the 2015 College Draft, coming to terms with former UCLA midfielder Sarah Killion (No. 2 overall) and Florida State defender Kristin Grubka (No. 10 overall). Per league and club policy, details of the contracts were not made public.

"We are very excited to get Sarah and Kristin signed onto our roster and into a more relaxed place. It is stressful enough for a player coming into the professional ranks as it is," Sky Blue FC technical director and head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. "We like to get our top draft picks signed before they get into camp so they can concentrate on picking up the team philosophies and other parts of the professional game. Getting them signed prior to camp is another way for us to show how much confidence we have in them as well."

Killion, 22, started 77 matches over 88 total appearances during her collegiate career at UCLA. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native had her best campaign this past fall as a senior, registering 30 points on nine goals and 12 assists while taking 45 shots. All marks were career highs, with the 12 assists matching her 2013 tally and equaling a school record. The 2014 NSCAA 3rd Team All-American was also selected to Top Drawer Soccer's Best XI and named to her third consecutive All-Pac-12 Team in 2014.

On the international level, Killion played for the U.S. U-18 Women's National Team and started for a U-20 side that won the FIFA World Championship in 2012. The crafty midfielder then made the next step in her career by being selected to the U.S. U-23 National Team, which won the 2013 Four Nations Tournament. In 2014, Killion received her first call-up to the full U.S. Women's National Team.

Grubka is fresh off a NCAA College Cup Championship this past fall at Florida State University. Grubka started all 26 matches during her senior season at FSU, anchoring a defense that finished the season with a 24-1-1 record and allowed opponents a meager 0.341 goals per game. The 5-foot-11 Florida native accumulated 11 points on three goals and five assists, helping her school to a program record 19 shutouts during 2014.

For her college career, Grubka made 90 starts in 104 matches played, recording 44 points on 15 goals and 14 assists. Her Florida State side also made four consecutive NCAA College Cup appearances during her time in Tallahassee.

Sky Blue FC will open its 2015 season on the road when it plays FC Kansas City at Sporting Park on Sunday, April 12th. The New Jersey side will then make its home debut at Yurcak Field the following weekend on Saturday, April 18th, hosting the Houston Dash.

2015 Sky Blue FC season tickets are available now, with packages starting as low as $120. Make sure you catch all of the world class NWSL action this season at Yurcak Field by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849) or placing an order online.

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