DePaul lands another soccer star from England

DePaul has landed another talented women’s soccer player from England.

Rachel Pitman, who helped England finish fourth at the U17 World Cup in 2008 at New Zealand, has signed a national letter of intent with the Blue Demons. She joins another former Arsenal Academy teammmate, Ashleigh Goodard, to play for DePaul head coach Erin Chastain and assistant coach Michele O’Brien.

“Rachel is one of my best friends, and when she came to Arsenal Academy we lived together as housemates for two years,” said Goddard, a freshman forward who was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team last season. “She asked me a lot of questions about DePaul. I told her this was a great situation, and I don’t think there is anywhere else as good as this.”

An opportunity to play for a program that advanced to the Big East quarterfinals last year was too good to pass up.

“Rachel is an athletic, tall forward who brings a great presence to the front line and in the penalty box,” Chastain said. “We are excited about the level of experience she brings to our team. “England is making great strides in women’s soccer, and it’s wonderful to be able to bring a player of her caliber to DePaul.”

Pitman is currently playing for the Bristol Academy senior team and enhances a recruiting class that includes Sarah Gorden of Conant High School, Amber Paul from Rogers High School in Minnesota, Megan Pyrz of Wayzata High School in Minnesota, Nikki Condit from Milwaukee Catholic Memorial and Nina Kondros from Glenbrook South High School.