NWSL Preseason Update
March 22, 2017 | Women's Soccer
BOSTON – With the upcoming NWSL season is in sight, a trio of former Terriers in Kylie Strom, McKenzie Hollenbaugh and Clare Pleuler are participating in preseason camps in hopes of earning one of 20 coveted roster spots on their respective teams.
Kylie Strom '14 | Boston Breakers
No stranger to the Boston Breakers, Kyle Strom will look to make her mark on the pro roster after earning a call-up from the Reserves midseason last year. Strom got her start with Boston Breakers College Academy Team in 2013 before advancing to the Reserves the following season. From there, Strom spent the 2015 season in Germany playing for FFC Frankfurt II before returning to Boston.
"Germany was a great and important learning experience for me both in soccer and in life," she recalled. "The Germans are very tactical so it was amazing to get a different perspective of how the game is played and be able to apply it here."
A 2013 All-Patriot League Second Team member, Strom's plan was to always be a professional soccer player, and is eager to enter to make her mark on the Breakers lineup this season.
"I've been a part of the breakers organization for several years now with the college academy team and the reserve team so to finally be a part of the professional team is a dream come true," she remarked.
McKenzie Hollenbaugh '16 | Boston Breakers
McKenzie Hollenbaugh is also looking to make the cut for the Breakers as she is currently training with the Reserves.
The 2015 Patriot League Defender of the Year is in the midst of her second NWSL preseason after spending time in both FC Kansas and the NY Flash camps last year, where she was released by the Flash at the end of preseason, though her soccer journey wouldn't end just yet.
"I live in Boston and the Breakers had been watching since I played at BU," she said. "They offered me a spot on the Reserve Team after being released. I went to a couple of practices, but ultimately decided that my heart lied with finishing up my degree abroad. I went abroad and finished up my degree in Padua, Italy."
Upon her return from Padua, Hollenbaugh has been working in Boston for Siagel Productions as well as Rodan + Fields, and also finds time to serve as an assistant coach for Valeo FC based in Newton. This year, the Breakers Reserves came calling once again, and Hollenbaugh is looking to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.
"As of now," she started. "I am going with the flow and taking life as it comes. I have found great potential in what I am doing and hope to grow personally and professionally."
Claire Pleuler '16 | Washington Spirit
Pleuler also returns after spending time overseas, as she is coming off a three-month stint in Sweden from August to September, and has been training for an opportunity since. Pleuler attended the Washington Spirit's open tryout on Feb. 15, where she earned an invitation to its preseason camp.
Fresh off earning All-Patriot League honors as a senior, she partook in the 2016 Boston Breakers preseason camp before her youth club coach worked a connection to a coach in the Elitettan League, the second highest division of women's soccer in Sweden. After sending her CV and highlights out to the teams in the league, she landed with Hovås Billdal based Gothenburg, Sweden.
"Some things that still stand out to me now though, nearly 4 months later, is the importance of being kind to those who may seem different from you at first," she stated. "I experienced first hand the struggle of not speaking a word of the native language, having to ask for directions everywhere I went, and not understanding basic social norms, so having those types of uncomfortable experiences I came to realize the importance of always being kind, empathetic, and understanding towards those who at first seem a little different."
With a new perspective at hand, Pleuler is look to continue her development as a professional soccer player back home.
"Making it to the professional level in the States has always been a long-term goal/dream of mine," she commented. "The NWSL is one of the most competitive leagues for women's soccer in the world, with some of the most talented players you can find. Earning a spot on any team in the NWSL would be an honor and privilege, and I look forward to trying to make that dream become a reality in the future."
Kylie Strom '14 | Boston Breakers
No stranger to the Boston Breakers, Kyle Strom will look to make her mark on the pro roster after earning a call-up from the Reserves midseason last year. Strom got her start with Boston Breakers College Academy Team in 2013 before advancing to the Reserves the following season. From there, Strom spent the 2015 season in Germany playing for FFC Frankfurt II before returning to Boston.
"Germany was a great and important learning experience for me both in soccer and in life," she recalled. "The Germans are very tactical so it was amazing to get a different perspective of how the game is played and be able to apply it here."
A 2013 All-Patriot League Second Team member, Strom's plan was to always be a professional soccer player, and is eager to enter to make her mark on the Breakers lineup this season.
"I've been a part of the breakers organization for several years now with the college academy team and the reserve team so to finally be a part of the professional team is a dream come true," she remarked.
McKenzie Hollenbaugh '16 | Boston Breakers
McKenzie Hollenbaugh is also looking to make the cut for the Breakers as she is currently training with the Reserves.
The 2015 Patriot League Defender of the Year is in the midst of her second NWSL preseason after spending time in both FC Kansas and the NY Flash camps last year, where she was released by the Flash at the end of preseason, though her soccer journey wouldn't end just yet.
"I live in Boston and the Breakers had been watching since I played at BU," she said. "They offered me a spot on the Reserve Team after being released. I went to a couple of practices, but ultimately decided that my heart lied with finishing up my degree abroad. I went abroad and finished up my degree in Padua, Italy."
Upon her return from Padua, Hollenbaugh has been working in Boston for Siagel Productions as well as Rodan + Fields, and also finds time to serve as an assistant coach for Valeo FC based in Newton. This year, the Breakers Reserves came calling once again, and Hollenbaugh is looking to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.
"As of now," she started. "I am going with the flow and taking life as it comes. I have found great potential in what I am doing and hope to grow personally and professionally."
Claire Pleuler '16 | Washington Spirit
Pleuler also returns after spending time overseas, as she is coming off a three-month stint in Sweden from August to September, and has been training for an opportunity since. Pleuler attended the Washington Spirit's open tryout on Feb. 15, where she earned an invitation to its preseason camp.
Fresh off earning All-Patriot League honors as a senior, she partook in the 2016 Boston Breakers preseason camp before her youth club coach worked a connection to a coach in the Elitettan League, the second highest division of women's soccer in Sweden. After sending her CV and highlights out to the teams in the league, she landed with Hovås Billdal based Gothenburg, Sweden.
"Some things that still stand out to me now though, nearly 4 months later, is the importance of being kind to those who may seem different from you at first," she stated. "I experienced first hand the struggle of not speaking a word of the native language, having to ask for directions everywhere I went, and not understanding basic social norms, so having those types of uncomfortable experiences I came to realize the importance of always being kind, empathetic, and understanding towards those who at first seem a little different."
With a new perspective at hand, Pleuler is look to continue her development as a professional soccer player back home.
"Making it to the professional level in the States has always been a long-term goal/dream of mine," she commented. "The NWSL is one of the most competitive leagues for women's soccer in the world, with some of the most talented players you can find. Earning a spot on any team in the NWSL would be an honor and privilege, and I look forward to trying to make that dream become a reality in the future."
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