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Australia’s W-League seems to be pretty popular place for Sky Blue FC players to keep sharp in the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) off-season.
Rookie Sarah Killion, a first-round draft pick out of UCLA, is the latest Sky Blue FC player to head down under. She will play on loan for Adelaide United of the Australia W-League, which begins next month and concludes in January.
"We are happy to see Sarah take another step in her development by joining Adelaide United," said Jim Gabarra, Sky Blue FC . "The Australian League has always been a good fit for our league here in the United States. In addition to its high level of play, it fits well with our offseason window in that players can gain additional game experience but also have enough time in between for recovery and regeneration."
Killion was the second player taken in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, following Houston’s pick of Morgan Brian. Killion made 13 starts in 17 games this past season while registering one assist. She combined nicely with attacking midfielder Katy Freels, staying home to allow Freels to roam toward goal.
At UCLA, she started 77 games in 88 appearances. Killion had her best campaign as a senior when she tallied 30 points on nine goals and 12 assists. All marks were career highs, with the 12 assists matching her 2013 tally and equaling a school record. In addition to her personal accomplishments, she also played a pivotal role in leading UCLA to the 2013 NCAA College Championship.
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 when she was 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 a training camp by the senior side of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Killion will join Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord, two Australian internationals, in the W-League. Kerr and Foord both are returning to the defending champion Perth Glory.