Pagie Monaghan: “I’m pumped to represent Sky Blue and play in front of the New Jersey and New York crowd.: (Photo courtesy of Sky Blue FC)

HOWELL, N.J. – Sky Blue FC forward and New Jersey native Paige Monaghan agreed to a new two-year contract with a one-year option prior to National Women’s Soccer League season.

As per team and league policies, further details were not disclosed.

“I’m a Jersey girl through and through,” Monaghan said. “I’m pumped to represent Sky Blue and play in front of the New Jersey and New York crowd. I want to compete for myself, my teammates, and my coaches in the best league in the world. We’ve got a lot to prove and I’m so excited for it!”

Monaghan, a Butler University graduate, was selected by Sky Blue as the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NWSL college draft. She recorded 22 goals and 19 assists in 80 appearances for the Bulldogs. As a junior, Monaghan was named the 2017 Big East offensive player of the year after leading the team in goals (10) and assists (6). In 2018, she was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, college soccer’s most prestigious award.

“We are thrilled Paige will continue to play for Sky Blue in 2020,” head coach Freya Coombe said. “Her pace and appetite for goal causes so many problems for the opposition. I am excited to see her link up with our new signings in the attacking third and score more goals this season.”

Monaghan, 23, will look to build off an encouraging rookie campaign in which she recorded two goals and one assist in 23 appearances (20 starts). She scored her first career goal and brace in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 14, earning her NWSL player of the week honors.

“Paige had an incredible rookie season with us and I believe she’s only scratching the surface of her potential,” general manager Alyse LaHue said. “As a New Jersey native that wants to fight for her hometown club, she’s someone we want to see wearing the badge for years to come.”

Monaghan received her first call-up to the U.S. women’s national team for the December Identification Training Camp. She also has received recognition on the national level with multiple call-ups to the Under-23 USWNT and most recently represented the U-23 team at the 2019 Nordic Tournament in England.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.