Decatur FC captures title in historic season
In just its second season, Decatur FC capped off a historic season, finishing with an undefeated 8-0 record and claiming the program’s first Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) division II championship in the league’s Peachtree Division.
Decatur FC competes in the WPSL which is the world’s largest professional women’s soccer league consisting of over 120 teams around the U.S. and Canada. The league is divided into two divisions with each having their own conferences and regional divisions. It is also the longest-active women’s soccer league since its establishment in 1998. Teams consists of collegiate, post-collegiate, international, and prep players.
According to Decatur FC officials, the team has quickly become one of the flagship clubs of the WPSL both on and off the field. The program strives to create opportunities for younger athletes, remove barrier to participation and support those who share their love for the sport through initiatives such as their Path to the Pitch Program, The Sports Bra Project, and their Zero Waste & Sustainability movement.
“It really shows how much hard work everyone has put in, from the players and coaches on the field to the staff working behind the scenes,” said Joel Gould, Decatur FC general manager. “Our players have stayed focused and committed, always pushing to perform at their best. It’s been a real team effort and seeing it all pay off like this means a lot to everyone involved.”
Decatur finished its perfect season with a close game against second place Chattanooga FC. Chattanooga entered the match 4-1-1, eight points behind Decatur in the division. Decatur won the first meeting between the two clubs 2-1 at Chattanooga.
“We had roughly two weeks of practice before the season kicked off, so getting all the players to gel that quickly—and then achieve success right out of the gate—is a real testament to the talent Coach Campbell Chapman and his staff have brought together,” Gould said.
Decatur led the Peachtree Division in offensive statistics with 25 goals, 11 more goals than No. 2 Chattanooga. Maggie Wasdworth (Mississippi State University) led the club with six goals, followed by Dylan Driver(Auburn University), and Sarah Greiner (University of Miami) with four goals.
On the defensive side, Decatur placed second in the division having given up seven goals on the season. Nicole Bidun (UGA) started every game for Decatur and only allowed one goal per game on average for the season.
Photo by Bree Hicken
