5/27/2015
For Immediate Release
Sounders Women open schedule versus Colorado Storm, add pieces to the squad from Minnesota
The Sounders Women open the 2015 W-League home schedule this Saturday versus the Colorado Storm. After dispatching the Arizona Strikers 9-1 in dominating form, the Sounders Women will look again to take points at home versus the Storm, a team that also struggled in the division in 2014.
The Colorado Storm brought back Abby Rolph who led the team in goals with four last year. The addition of Nicholette DiGiacomo should also alleviate some pressure on the team within a tough division. DiGiacomo was an All American at the University of Denver this fall. The Storm lost their first contest this past week versus the Colorado Pride and will look to steal points away against an exciting young Sounders Women team that nearly posted double digits this past weekend in Arizona.
The Sounders Women got off to a hot start again in 2015 with a statement game at the Arizona Strikers this past weekend. Mele French led the team with 2 goals and 2 assists in a strong performance. Both Ashley Clark and Morgan Reuther also tallied two goals apiece in the 9-1 victory. The team is nearly complete with Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. making the final roster decisions before the opener at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington.
As he prepares for the home opener, Sounders Women Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. added, ”As a club we are excited for our home opener in front of the best fans in the league.”
The weekend home game will also bring new faces to the Puget Sound as the Sounders Women have signed Rashida Beal and Simone Kolander from the University of Minnesota.
“Rashida is a tenacious defender,” explained Coach Busby, “She is a welcomed addition to our squad.”
Kolander saw playing time in all 20 games of the 2013 season and led the team with 5 assists and 2 goals, with a total of 9 points. Kolander had a strong sophomore season starting twenty-one games and being named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
“Simone is a very versatile player who can play anywhere across the front line. She will add depth to our attacking options.”
The Sounders Women team returns to Starfire again in 2015 for three home games while spreading the other three home games around the Puget Sound to reach out to the local fan base.
Tickets are on sale now at www.sounderswomen .com! Game time for Saturday night May 30th versu the Colorado Storm is 8pm!
Sounders U23/Sounders Women
The Sounders U23 and Sounders Women teams are owned and operated by owners Lane Smith, Cliff McElroy, and Mike Jennings.
The Sounders U23 play in the Northwest Division of the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Sounders Women play in the W-League which is the first and longest-standing women’s soccer league in North America. Featuring current college age amateur players with former international and professional stars, both the PDL and the W-League provide elite amateurs the opportunity to compete while maintaining their eligibility as college student-athletes. Both the PDL and the W-League are recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans throughout North America. The Sounders U23 team is the direct PDL affiliate to the Sounders FC first team and USL S2 team.
Sounders U23/Sounders Women VP/GM: Darren Sawatzky (Darrens@SoundersU23.com)
