Sarah McCoy (soccer)


Sarah McCoy is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for USL Super League club Spokane Zephyr, which she captains. She played college soccer for the Purdue Boilermakers and Virginia Cavaliers. She has previously played for the North Carolina Courage and Canberra United.

Early life

Born in Durham, North Carolina, McCoy grew up in Brighton, Michigan. She played club soccer for the Michigan Hawks, winning two ECNL national championships and five conference titles. She graduated from Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

College career

Though recruited as a right back, McCoy shifted to center back in her freshman season with the Purdue Boilermakers in 2017, starting 18 games and earning Big Ten Conference all-freshman honors. Head coach Drew Roff moved McCoy to central defensive midfielder in her sophomore season in 2018. She started all 18 games, led the team with 6 assists as the primary corner kick taker, and scored 3 penalties. She was named team captain for her junior season but was forced to redshirt the season due to injury.
McCoy then transferred to the Virginia Cavaliers in 2020. Virginia reached the NCAA tournament semifinals in her debut season, then won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in 2021. She made 61 appearances, primarily as a substitute, in three seasons with the Cavaliers.

Club career

North Carolina Courage

After going undrafted in the 2023 NWSL Draft, McCoy joined the North Carolina Courage as a trialist in the 2023 preseason. In June, she signed her first professional contract with the Courage as a national team replacement player during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She made her professional debut in a NWSL Challenge Cup game against the Orlando Pride on July 29, replacing Brianna Pinto in the 79th minute and assisting former college teammate Haley Hopkins's second goal in a 5–0 victory. She made one other appearance in the competition as part of the Courage's successful title defense. After being released in August, she re-signed with the Courage in September as an injury replacement player for Riley Jackson, staying the rest of the season.

Canberra United

In December 2023, McCoy signed with Australian A-League Women club Canberra United. She debuted for the club at halftime in a 2–0 loss to the Melbourne Victory on December 16. On January 6, 2024, she scored her first professional goal with a long-range strike to draw 3–3 with the Newcastle Jets. She played in 16 games, starting 15, during the 2023–24 season.

Spokane Zephyr FC

In May 2024, McCoy returned to the United States and joined the Spokane Zephyr before the USL Super League's inaugural 2024–25 season. On August 27, she appeared in the starting lineup of the club's inaugural game, a 1–1 draw with Fort Lauderdale United. She recorded her first professional assist on September 22, sending a free kick to Haley Thomas's diving header for the lone goal against DC Power FC in Zephyr's first win. After having just two wins at the winter break, Spokane found their groove in the spring, with McCoy being named in the Team of the Month in February and May 2025, and narrowly missed a playoff spot on tiebreakers. She was named in the All-League Second Team at the end of the season, having played every minute of the campaign and led the league in passes.
McCoy was named Zephyr's captain before the 2025–26 season. She found success in the early part of Spokane's campaign, leading the USL Super League in clearances and being named to the USLS September Team of the Month.

Personal life

McCoy is the daughter of Bill and Lori Clark and has three older siblings. Both her parents went to Purdue. Her brother, Will, played college soccer at UNC Wilmington, and her uncle Mike Clark played professionally for the Columbus Crew.

Honors

Virginia Cavaliers
North Carolina Courage
Individual