The Houston Dash have acquired defender Toni Pressley from the Western New York Flash in exchange for midfielder Ashley Nick, the club announced today.
Pressley, 25, started and played the full 90 minutes in the Flash’s opening night defeat to Seattle Reign FC on April 12. The Florida State product played in 17 matches (16 starts) in two seasons with the Washington Spirit prior to being traded to Western New York in the 2015 offseason.
“Our biggest problem early on has been defensively and getting it organized. As much as I hate to give Ashley up, because we traded for her and she was in our plans to help in midfield, we just felt like it was one of those things we had to do defensively,” head coach Randy Waldrum said. “I had Toni with the U-23s, and she’s finally healthy now after a layoff last season with some injuries. We certainly can use the help in the back so we’re extremely excited to get her.”
The Melbourne, Florida, native represented the United States at the U-17, U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels, and was part of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup squad in 2010. At Florida State, Pressley finished with the third-most appearances in program history (96) and was an All-ACC First Team selection in 2010. Following her collegiate career, Pressley joined Russian club Ryazan VDV, playing 20 matches in the 2012-13 season. She then signed with the Washington Spirit prior to the inaugural NWSL season in 2013.
Nick, 27, was acquired by the Dash via trade following the 2014 season. The veteran midfielder appeared in three matches for the Dash, starting twice.
