Watson looks over her Reign FC contract
Watson Signs with Reign FC
May 22, 2019 | Soccer
Former Buff signs first professional contract
TACOMA, Wash. – Former University of Colorado goalkeeper Scout Watson inked her first professional contract on Wednesday. The two-time captain agreed to terms with the NWSL's Reign FC.
Watson becomes the third Colorado goalkeeper to sign an NWSL professional deal since 2014, joining Buffalo greats Annie Brunner (Western New York Flash) and Kate Scheele (Houston Dash). Watson is also the second player from the 2018 senior class to jump to the NWSL. Erin Greening was drafted and signed by the Orlando Pride.
"I couldn't be more proud or happy for a player," CU head coach Danny Sanchez commented. "Scout was the consummate teammate who always put the team first. She never stopped working and improving. As she did at Colorado, she just kept grinding and now she has this fantastic opportunity to start her professional career with Reign FC."
Watson was invited to the team's preseason training alongside rostered keepers Lydia Williams and Michelle Betos. She made one appearance for Reign FC during the preseason, replacing Betos in goal in the 63rd minute of a 5-0 win over the University of Washington.
"I'm extremely grateful to the entire Reign FC staff and Bill and Teresa (Predmore) for giving me the opportunity to be here," Watson said. "I'm excited to be a part of this team. The team has been so welcoming from the start and being able to have played with them since the beginning of preseason has been amazing. I've been able to get closer to girls and develop new friendships and I have gotten a grasp of how the team plays. Overall, I'm unbelievably happy. This has been a dream of mine for so long and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity."
An Overland Park, Kan., native, Watson came to Colorado in 2014. She redshirted her first season playing behind Scheele. Watson earned four starts and played in six matches as a redshirt freshman in 2015. She continued to earn time behind Scheele as a sophomore, totaling 10 saves in five appearances.
Watson was voted a team captain at the start of 2017. She earned her first career wins in her junior season, posting a 2-0-1 record. Watson helped CU to five shutouts on the way to the Buffs' second straight NCAA Tournament.
Watson posted her best season in 2018, recording a career-high 22 saves in her 10 appearances. She played a part in seven of Colorado's eight shutouts. Watson posted her first-career solo shutout, making two saves, in CU's 4-0 win over UTSA. Watson played a career-high 495 minutes and finished the season with a .856 save percentage. She twice earned Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention.
Watson will be available for selection for Reign FC's match against the North Carolina Courage on Monday, May 27 at 5:00 p.m. MT.
Watson becomes the third Colorado goalkeeper to sign an NWSL professional deal since 2014, joining Buffalo greats Annie Brunner (Western New York Flash) and Kate Scheele (Houston Dash). Watson is also the second player from the 2018 senior class to jump to the NWSL. Erin Greening was drafted and signed by the Orlando Pride.
"I couldn't be more proud or happy for a player," CU head coach Danny Sanchez commented. "Scout was the consummate teammate who always put the team first. She never stopped working and improving. As she did at Colorado, she just kept grinding and now she has this fantastic opportunity to start her professional career with Reign FC."
Watson was invited to the team's preseason training alongside rostered keepers Lydia Williams and Michelle Betos. She made one appearance for Reign FC during the preseason, replacing Betos in goal in the 63rd minute of a 5-0 win over the University of Washington.
"I'm extremely grateful to the entire Reign FC staff and Bill and Teresa (Predmore) for giving me the opportunity to be here," Watson said. "I'm excited to be a part of this team. The team has been so welcoming from the start and being able to have played with them since the beginning of preseason has been amazing. I've been able to get closer to girls and develop new friendships and I have gotten a grasp of how the team plays. Overall, I'm unbelievably happy. This has been a dream of mine for so long and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity."
An Overland Park, Kan., native, Watson came to Colorado in 2014. She redshirted her first season playing behind Scheele. Watson earned four starts and played in six matches as a redshirt freshman in 2015. She continued to earn time behind Scheele as a sophomore, totaling 10 saves in five appearances.
Watson was voted a team captain at the start of 2017. She earned her first career wins in her junior season, posting a 2-0-1 record. Watson helped CU to five shutouts on the way to the Buffs' second straight NCAA Tournament.
Watson posted her best season in 2018, recording a career-high 22 saves in her 10 appearances. She played a part in seven of Colorado's eight shutouts. Watson posted her first-career solo shutout, making two saves, in CU's 4-0 win over UTSA. Watson played a career-high 495 minutes and finished the season with a .856 save percentage. She twice earned Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention.
Watson will be available for selection for Reign FC's match against the North Carolina Courage on Monday, May 27 at 5:00 p.m. MT.