CCNY Star Soccer Player Transfers Out

Skylar Parker, star soccer player on the City College of New York (CCNY) women’s team, plans to transfer to the state of Texas but hasn’t decided on a school yet. Parker’s decision leaves a hole in the women’s soccer program. She told her coach, Louis Manoussos, that she wanted to be closer to her family in Texas. “I understand that and respect that,” Manoussos said.  

The junior from Katy, Texas, only wore purple and black for the Beavers for the 2022 season. Parker is considered one of the best strikers, leading the nation in goals per game (1.92) and points per game (4.77). Parker was not immediately available for comment.  

Pamela Bernal, a midfielder for the CCNY soccer team, had high praise for Parker. “Skylar was a great team player. She really brought the team together and she demonstrated her potential as a soccer player,” she said. “But now with Skylar transferring it’s really going to change the team on who is going to take her position now, but overall we wish Skylar the best.”

It will be tough for the Beavers to replace Parker, but Bernal welcomes the challenge. “It’s definitely exciting for someone to take that position, but no one can ever replace what Skylar brought the team.” Bernal expressed her excitement at the prospect of bringing new players in or allowing current players to showcase their potential. 

Parker was a game changer on the field. She had a stellar 2022 campaign racking up 25 goals, 12 assists, and a 23.1 shot percentage.  She led the team in goals, assists, minutes played, points, and game-winning goals. Parker was named to the All-ECAC first team – Eastern College Athletic Conference – last season.  

Manoussos is unsure who will take over for Parker. His mentality: “next player up.” The Beavers will have many familiar faces return to the team this season and he’s hoping for some new recruits. “I have to see what comes in. I do have a couple of really good options. It is going to be a void [Skylar Parker], but I feel confident that the young lady that will play that spot will do just as great a job as Skylar did,” he said. 

In the past, the team recruited organically, and players were mostly from the New York City area. Manoussos now recruits players outside of New York. “As we expand, I get a good chunk of my team nationwide… There is plenty of great talent here locally but there is an abundance of talent nationally.” 

Manoussos’s mindset stays the same as he looks at the future with optimism. “[The] expectation is to be the best. Win it all. That’s what we do. That’s what we try to accomplish.” 

The Beavers will continue to prepare for the 2023 season this summer with games beginning in August.