Washington Spirit sign two draft picks, six veterans to new contracts

Ahead of the start of the 2017 season, the Washington Spirit signed two rookies and six veteran players to new contracts. Washington signed rookies Lindsay Agnew, a Canadian national teamer, and Meggie Dougherty Howard, a former Washington Spirit Reserves player. The Spirit also signed Cali Farquharson, Cheyna Williams, Estelle Johnson, Alyssa Kleiner, Joanna Lohman, and Kristie Mewis.

The Spirit picked up the rights to Agnew and Dougherty Howard in this year’s college draft. Agnew, an Ohio State forward, was chosen with the No. 19 overall pick and Dougherty Howard, a Florida Gators midfielder, was taken with the No. 29 overall pick.

The Spirit signed six veteran players to new contracts. All six were players the Spirit picked up the option for at the end of the 2016 season or acquired via a trade this offseason.

While the Spirit picked up the option for Kelsey Wys, Line Sigvardsen Jensen, and Katie Stengel, those players were not signed to new contracts for this season yet.

The minimum salary was raised this offseason, in part due to the TV deal signed with A + E networks.

Preseason rosters are expected to released later today.