about Jasmyne
Jasmyne Spencer was born on August 27, 1990 in Bay Shore,N.Y. She competed from 2008-2011 at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her All-American title. Today, Jasmyne is a forward in the NWSL for the Orlando Pride. This offseason she is on loan to Canberra United, competing in the Australian W-league.
As the youngest of three, Jasmyne had front row seats to both of her brothers athletic success. It was through them she found her passion for competitive sports. From lacrosse to competitive dancing, Jasmyne was determined to make her mark. Soccer was always a part of the youngest Spencer's life. She even took her first steps on the soccer field which is why her parents were thrilled to trade her dancing shoes for cleats.
Jasmyne's passion runs even greater off the field. As a Planet Love Life ambassador, she helps spread awareness about the importance of keeping oceans clean and the dangers pollution and marine debris can cause to marine life. Jasmyne also founded JAS F.C., a developmental program for youth kids interested in competitive soccer. The energetic forward embraces being a role model in her community and takes pride in helping pave the way for the next generation.
At UMD Jasmyne was a four year varsity letter winner. In her four years at Maryland she tallied 22 career goals and 10 career assists. Confident in her role as a Forward for the Terrapin's but always underestimated because of her size, Jasmyne reminded her competitors that she was more impactful than they assumed. Standing at 5-foot-1, the Bay Shore native ended her college career as a three-time All- ACC and All Region honoree. With Jasmyne leading the way, her class became the first ever in the history of Maryland to earn a winning record in regular season. She was also the first Terrapin to be a two-time candidate of the MAC Hermann Trophy. As a Junior, Jasmyne had her best season scoring 10 goals and adding 5 assists. She led the Terrapins to their second Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game. Within the same season, Jasmyne also led the team to their first Number 1 seed in NCAA tournament history. At the conclusion of the season she was named to the 2010 NSCAA 4th team All-America. She was the first All- American out of UMD in over a decade, and the last named to date. Upon completion of her senior season she entered the Women’s Professional Soccer, WPS, college draft, and was selected 21st overall to Philadelphia Independence.
Youth Career
For much of her life Jasmyne was coached by her father. She played for local teams Brentwood Hurricanes and Bay Shore HotShots until she was 15. In hopes of playing Division I soccer, Jasmyne joined one of the most decorated teams in youth club soccer, the Albertson Fury Soccer Club. Coached by Paul Riley together, the Fury '90 won 6 Eastern New York State Cup Championships, 2 Jefferson Cup tournaments and ranked third in Nationals. Jasmyne's speed, athleticism, and clinical finishing proved to be an asset to the team and later landed her an athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Going Pro & Overcoming Adversity
College Career
Awards
and
Accolades
College
2009 Soccer America MVP
3x
NSCAA All- Southeast Region
• First Team- 2009, 2010
• Second Team- 2011
3x
2010 NSCAA All-American
All- Atlantic Coast Conference Team
• First Team- 2009, 2010
• Second Team- 2011
Professional
2014 Sydney FC Player of the Year
2013 Cypriot Super Cup Champion
2012 21st overall WPS draft pick
Sydney FC Golden Boot
2015 WNY Flash Community
Service Award
Jasmyne has faced many obstacles in her pursuit to become a professional soccer player. She's enjoyed much success in her career thus far, but it wasn't without difficulties. At the conclusion of an impressive college career, Jasmyne decided to withdraw from school and enter into the WPS draft. On January 13, 2012, she was selected 21st overall to the Philadelphia Independence. On January 30th, 2012 the WPS announced the suspension of the league. Just two weeks after a dream come true Jasmyne was faced with heart breaking news. In an attempt to keep pushing forward, she tried to re-enoll in school but missed the re-enollment deadline.
Forced to miss her final semester of undergrad, Jasmyne signed with the New York FURY in the WPSL- Elite. The WPSL- Elite was a temporary formed Semi-Professional league that consisted of the remaining WPS teams. In 12 appearances with the FURY, Jasmyne scored 4 goals and helped the team advance to the semi-finals. With the season coming to an end, Jasmyne was faced with the difficult decision to re-enoll in school and complete her degree, or continue to pursue her professional soccer career. Education was and still is just as important as pursing her dreams of being a professional athlete. Although Jasmyne knew it wouldn't be easy, she decided to complete her degree while training to play abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. With no family or friends near by and a huge shift in cultures, Jasmyne maintained her grades and attended numerous trials in hopes of keeping her dream alive. Finally, she landed an amateur contract with Brøndby IF. Brøndby competes in the top league in Denmark, known as 3F elitedivisønen. Jasmyne scored 6 goals in 10 appearances, including 2 appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Jasmyne's successful season with Brøndby lead her to her first professional contract offer with the club. However, she declined the offer and chose to return to the US to play in the newly emerged National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). On February 7th
2013 Jasmyne was selected 27th overall in the NWSL Supplemental draft to the Boston Breakers. Later, she would be released from the team as the final person cut from the pre-season roster. Determined to make an NWSL roster just a week shy of the deadline, Jasmyne drove up and down the east coast trialling for both the Washington Spirit and New Jersey Sky Blue. Earning the final roster spot on the Washington Spirt, her resilience was finally being rewarded. It was a true testament of her determination. Jasmyne signed her first professional contract on April 7th, 2013, the day before the final roster deadline. She went on to make 6 starts in 17 appearances, and tally 1 assist in her rookie season with the Spirit.
At the end of the 2013 season, Jasmyne went on loan to Apollon Ladies LFC in the Cypriot first division. During her stint in Cyprus, she made 12 appearances with Apollon, 2 of which came in UEFA Women's Champions League, where she scored 1 goal in the round of 32. Jasmyne also scored 2 goals in the Cypriot Super Cup final to help lead Apollon to their 6th Championship.
Returning to the US after her loan to Apollon Jasmyne was eager to improve upon her rookie season. Unfortunately she was released from the Spirit ahead of the 2014 preseason. Jasmyne's resilience shined once again as she earned the final roster spot on the Western New York Flash, after only being invited into preseason camp just weeks before it started. In two seasons with the Flash, Jasmyne made 42 appearances tallying 6 goals and 2 assists. During the 2014/2015 offseason, the forward played on loan for Sydney FC in the Australian W-league. Jasmyne had a stellar debut season for the Sky Blues, scoring 8 goals and leading the team to the Semi Finals. In her 2015 return to Sydney, Jasmyne was an integral part of the team scoring the game winning goal in the Semi finals to help lead them to the Grand Final. In two seasons with the Sky Blues, Jasmyne tallied 12 goals in 27 appearances placing her in the clubs top 5 for all time career goals.
Most recently, Jasmyne completed her fourth season of the NWSL with the Orlando Pride. Orlando selected Jasmyne 4th overall in the expansion draft. She was the only player to appear in all 20 games for Orlando in its inaugural season, tallying 4 goals.
Jasmyne's persistence and determination has helped her fight to make her dreams as a professional soccer player come true. She attributes her obstacles as the driving force of her success. Jasmyne believed in herself then, and she believes in herself now as she continues to make her mark in the NWSL.