Prince Signs Professional Contract with AC Sparta
5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The four-year graduate from Stephen F. Austin, Zuri Prince, has signed a professional contract to continue her playing career for the AC Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic.
“This is a great day for Zuri, her family, and for our program,” said head coach Wally Crittenden. “Each player has a different path to reach their goals and Zuri is a great example of persistence, self-belief, and taking advantages of opportunities presented to you.”
Prince becomes the fifth player in last three years to sign a professional soccer contract after former Ladyjacks Megan Dunnigan, Morgan Glick, Rachel Owens, and Chelsea Raymond each took their careers internationally in 2015.
The 2014 graduate has already registered her first goal with AC Sparta on May 7 in a 4-0 bout during her fourth appearance on the professional pitch.
The native from Beaumont, Texas was major part of SFA’s historical NCAA run in 2012, where SFA made its first appearance at the NCAA tournament since 2007. Prince’s freshman year was the kick start to the five-straight conference titles SFA would clench, making Ladyjack soccer the only team in the nation to win five consecutive outright titles.
Prince appeared in 81 games for the Ladyjacks, staring 60 of those. She tallied 25 goals through her four-year campaign, 14 of those game-winning, the seventh most in program history. The forward also registered a career high 69 points, fourth best in the program and 151 shots. Prince is also third in the SFA books for her 19 assists. She was then chosen as the 2014 Southland Conference Player of the Year following her tremendous senior season.
“I have no doubt Zuri will continue to grow as a professional and will have a chance be an impact player for AC Sparta in the same way she impacted our team,” said Crittenden. “It is so special to see our players, the 6th in 3 years, have the privilege to keep playing.”
AC Sparta Prague currently dominates the national league having won 18 of 23 titles, and has taken part in several UEFA Women’s Cup competitions. Prince will be joining an outstanding team as they recently won their sixth Czech Women’s Cup title in 2015. The 2017 season is set to run from March to June.
-SFA-
