Former Syracuse midfielder Alyscha Mottershead has signed a contract with SC Sand of the 2nd Bundesliga in Germany, she announced on Twitter Wednesday morning.

In three years with the Orange, from 2010 to 2012, Mottershead registered seven goals and four assists. After transferring from Iowa her sophomore year, the Brampton, Ont., native played a major role in turning around the SU program.

In her first season at Syracuse, the team went from 5-11-3 to 6-9-5.

In her senior season, Mottershead scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Syracuse’s season opener against Colgate and capped the year off with a goal on senior day against St. John’s. She also scored game-winning goals against Seton Hall and Rutgers.

“I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it wasn’t for the program I had at Syracuse,” Mottershead said. “It was a pleasure playing there and it’s exciting to be able to take my life in a new direction as a Syracuse alumni. I’m excited to see where this new professional career takes me.”

After Mottershead left Syracuse, she stayed involved with the Canadian national program. She said the Canadian program expressed a desire to keep her but thought it would be best she test her skills on the professional level.

Following a training session in November, Mottershead made a highlight tape with clips from her time with Syracuse and her summer with the Ottawa Fury.

“A guy who picks up players for German teams saw my video and wanted to know a little bit more,” Mottershead said. “I actually got his information from one of the other national team players and then he just told me a club was looking for someone in my position.”

Published on January 15, 2014 at 4:13 pm

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu