Neuqua Valley alum Oyster never far from home
Having played soccer collegiately in Los Angeles, professionally in Newcastle, Australia, Washington, D.C., Boston, Seattle and now Houston, Megan Oyster has come to appreciate home even while enjoying her travels.
So when she was traded to the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League on Feb. 3, she was happy to find two other players from the suburbs, Kayla McCoy of Lincolnwood and Katie Naughton of Elk Grove.
"I don't think that happens too often for me. I don't play with too many Chicago-based people," said Oyster, who played high school soccer at Neuqua Valley in Naperville.
Finding teammates from the Chicago area paid off when McCoy got a special delivery from home.
"Her dad actually delivered Giordano's pizza. They had it delivered here. It was a little taste of home. It was awesome. She shared it with us. It was cool," Oyster said.
Oyster hasn't had much of a chance to sample Houston pizza. She practiced only a week with her new team before the NWSL suspended all preseason training. But once training resumes, Oyster and Naughton should form a strong pairing at center back for the Dash on the field.
Off the field - and maybe on the field too - they can talk about home.
"It's really fun to actually get to know her now and share those Chicago stories and little places that we know," Oyster said of Naughton, traded from the Chicago Red Stars in the off-season.
Oyster has bounced around the NWSL since being drafted by the Washington Spirit 13th overall in 2015. She's been traded twice but never to her hometown team.
"My family would love that, that's for sure," she said with a laugh.
It was in Naperville that Oyster started to grow into a professional soccer player.
In middle school she formed a friendship with a kindred soul, fellow soccer player Patrick Doody, also a Neuqua Valley graduate. The two of them recognized talent and love of the game in each other and continually pushed each other to work toward their dream, Oyster said.
Doody went to Indiana University, where he won the national championship in 2012.
"To see him win, it was an amazing feeling. I remember crying watching the game. It was just super cool to see. And then obviously it got a little competitive. I was like, 'Pat, that's awesome. I'm super happy for you, but I want a national championship too.' "
Oyster matriculated to UCLA, and sure enough, she got her national championship trophy the season after Doody - who played professionally for the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer - lifted his.
As Neuqua Valley provided the athletic and academic platform for her to succeed in college, UCLA provided the platform for Oyster to succeed as a pro.
Becoming a pro was the culmination of a lifetime of dreams and preparation. Now she just can't wait to get back on the field.
"It's been a wild, crazy journey," Oyster said, "but I'm just so grateful to have been in the league this long."