Local soccer player gets drafted
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association said that Becky Kaplan has been selected in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League Draft on Jan. 18 at the Indiana Convention Center. Sky Blue FC drafted her in the fourth round. As Sky Blue plays its home games at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey, it¹s the closest NWSL franchise to Kaplan’s home in Oyster Bay.
Kaplan had a breakout 2012 senior season at the University of Maryland, posting career highs in goals (12), assists (6), points (30) and shots (53). She had a knack for scoring at key moments for the Terrapins and had a team-best six game-winning goals this past season. For her efforts, she was a second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and a third team NSCAA All-Southeast Regional honoree.
“I personally started to train Becky at eight years old when she started in the Oyster Bay/East Norwich Soccer Club,” said Long Island Rough Riders President Peter Zaratin. “Her father, Robert, wanted her to be a goalkeeper but I convinced him that she would eventually be an exceptional field player if she developed a passion for the sport.”
She was then given permission by the Northport/Cow Harbor Soccer Club Board of Directors to play with a LIJSL boys’ team, the Northport/Cow Harbor Bruins, which helped her development as well. Becky then competed for the LIJSL’s East Meadow Shooting Stars, leading East Meadow to the State Open Cup and Region 1 Premier League titles, and finished her youth soccer career with the LIJSL’s Massapequa Rascals.
Kaplan is the all-time leading scorer at Oyster Bay High School, having scored an amazing 149 goals for the Baymen.
She spent the past few summers playing with the Long Island Rough Riders of the W-League, a level below the new NWSL.
“I am glad that Becky is now playing at the highest level of women’s professional soccer in the United States,” commented Coach Zaratin. “We look forward to seeing her progress as we still think that she hasn’t reached her full potential. Hopefully, the next opportunity will be with the Women’s National Team!”
