KÓPAVOGUR, Iceland – Villanova goalkeeper Payton Woodward signed a professional contract with HK Kópavogur Women in Kópavogur, Iceland, as announced by the team on Friday.
 
Woodward is now one of two former Wildcats to currently be playing at the professional level, joining Samantha Rosette who joined Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace last July. Woodward is also the second Wildcat alum to join the HK football, joining Viktor Benediktsson who signed with the men's team earlier this week.
 
"Signing to play professional soccer has always been a dream of mine," Woodward said. "Villanova soccer surrounded me with the most supportive people who pushed me every day to work hard and pursue my dream. I will be forever grateful to be a Villanova soccer alum. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat."
 
The Fayetteville, Ark. native logged 21 starts in 22 appearances as a Wildcat in two seasons with 26 games played in her entire collegiate career. Of her 1923 minutes in net over her career, 1864 were played in a Villanova kit after transferring to the Main Line from Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season. She made 58 saves with 23 allowed for a 1.12 goals against average, saving at a .716 clip. She went 4-8-9 in her career.
 
"I am thrilled for Payton to have this opportunity with a top-class team in Iceland.  She has worked very hard over her career to grow as a player, and she has worked towards taking her career a level up playing professionally," Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. "During her time with our program, she was instrumental in our phases of re-establishing the foundation of our program, both on and off the field, and I know she will use those experiences as well as the ones she's grown with along the way to lead her to success. It is always a privilege for us to see one of our own move forward into their dreams of playing professionally. We are excited to have the privilege of continuing to develop and grow our Wildcat professional legacy – Payton leads the charge most recently for us there.  The future is bright for Wildcats in the pros."
 
Woodward's final season in the Blue and White saw her start in all 18 games the team played, logging 1620 minutes of action. She made 48 saves with a .706 save percentage, allowing 20 goals with a 1.11 GAA and adding four shutouts to her ledger. She made her Villanova debut in 2022, starting in three of her four appearances for 245 minutes.
 
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