Sky Blue FC signs forward Catherine Zimmerman

Sky Blue FC announced that it has officially signed forward Catherine Zimmerman in advance of Saturday’s road match against the top-ranked Portland Thorns FC.

Zimmerman, a Madison, New Jersey native and recent graduate of Providence College, began the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season rostered with the Western New York Flash, but opted to complete her college education before beginning her professional soccer career.

Upon graduation in May, Zimmerman returned to New Jersey to begin training with Sky Blue as a reserve player.

"We are delighted to be able to call up Catherine to the pro team," Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC’s head coach, said in a statement released by the team. "She has been training with us for quite some time, so we are very familiar with what she is capable of doing on the field. She gives us an offensive threat and adds some variety into our attack."

In her four years at Providence, Zimmerman tallied 32 goals and 12 assists. She lead the team all four years in points, including a career high 27 points on 11 goals and five assists her junior year. She was named to the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team her freshman year, the All-BIG EAST Second team the following year and the All-BIG EAST First Team her final two years at Providence.

Zimmerman could come in useful for Sky Blue during July in the absence of USWNT defender Kelley O'Hara and Australian-international Sam Kerr, both of whom will be gone with their respective national teams in preparation for the Rio Olympics.

To make room for Zimmerman, Sky Blue officially waived New Zealand-international goalkeeper Erin Nayler, who departed the team in May. Nayler was only with the team a few weeks and did not log any minutes for the New Jersey-based club and before her departure.