By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, SEPT. 14, 2016 – Jackie Simpson's pro soccer dream has taken the former USF standout all the way to the Canary Islands.
Simpson has traveled outside the United States for the first time to play for UDG Tenerife, a Spanish team that competes in the Primera Division. Simpson signed with the club earlier this month after training with the National Women's Soccer League's Orlando Pride.
“All your hard work, commitments and your sacrifices have paid off,” Simpson said. “This has been a dream since I was a little girl. At 13, I made a goal chart and this is the top of the chart.”
Simpson prepared well for the pro level during her highly productive career as a Bull. The center back from Lithia, Fla., logged in 78 games of experience in her four-year collegiate career and was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. Simpson anchored a back line that helped the Bulls record 12 shutouts and showed her scoring ability with four of her eight career goals as a senior.
“I think playing at USF helped build my confidence and it helped mold me into the player I am,” she said. “It definitely prepared me for the next step.”
Simpson graduated from USF this May and continued to sharpen her skills as an amateur for the Orlando Pride. Simpson's teammates included U.S. women's national team members Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris.
“It was the best thing I could have done for myself. Going into a harder environment and playing with players of that caliber helps you raise your level,” Simpson said. “You have to in order to train with them and keep up with them.”
Simpson also has been keeping up with USF's progress on the pitch and trained with the Bulls a couple times before her trip out of the U.S. At 7-0, USF is off to the best start yet since head coach Denise Schilte-Brown took over the program in 2007. USF recently made school history by earning its highest-ever ranking – No. 14 in the NSCAA poll.
“The last couple years, we've been building the program and it's just great to see it continue to get better,” Simpson said. “It's great for the coaching staff and it's great for the girls.”
For more information on the USF women's soccer team, visit @USFWSOC on Twitter.
Be sure to follow USF women's soccer on social media (Twitter / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF women's soccer team has posted four consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and five in the last six years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014 & 2015. USF returns 17 players from last year's roster, including All-American Athletic Conference second-team goalkeeper Kat Elliott and seniors Lotta Fennefoss, Jordyn Listro and Leticia Skeete. The Bulls also return 10 players who appeared in at least 15 or more games last season.
- #GoBulls -
