Get to know the 2013 Sounders Women

The first match of the 2013 season is finally upon us; our Sounders Women host Oregon State Sunday, the first of five preseason matchups against local colleges and development sides.  The Sounders Women will use this preseason to solidify the roster and establish a style of play under new Head Coach Hubert Busby, Jr.

CHANGES

The Sounders Women experienced much change from last year’s season of star power.  Particularly in the coaching staff; last year’s Head Coach, Michelle French, has answered our nation’s call and is now the USWNT U-20 Head Coach. Assistant coach Randy Hanson is believed to have gone back to focus on his coaching at the University of Puget Sound and with Washington Premier. Leaving, our only hold out from last season, high energy Keeper coach and fan favorite, Kelly Bendixen.

The Sounders found a new Skipper for 2013 in long time rival and neighbor, Hubert Busby, Jr., former Head Coach and Technical Coordinator of the Vancouver Whitecaps Women.  The Canadian-born Jamaican National saw playing stints with European clubs as high as the English First Division and Dutch Eredivisie.  In his playing days, he even tended the net for the Reggae Boyz in Jamaica from 2000-2003. 

We’ll spend more time on assistant coaches Zahra Lechak & Nour Fathy (@nfathy) in future weeks.  Both bring an incredible set of skills aiding in the development of players for our program.

New Technical Director, and local soccer legend, Lesle Gallimore (@CoachGallimore), has been quick to re-sign several of her UW girls who wore our patch in 2012.  Allie Beahan, Lindsay Elston (@lindsayelston21), Megan Kufeld, & Annie Sittauer (@AnnieSittauer) are all in form and ready for a rematch with Pali this season.  They, along with Genessee Daughetee (@genesseebanks), Isabel Farrell, Rachel Mercik (@rmercik), & Shannon Woeller (@shannywoeller) will not be on the pitch in Rave Green until next month due to NCAA rules. 

Hannah Brewer, another signee, has not yet arrived from Australia and also will not be on the pitch Sunday.  To learn more about these girls, check out SoundersWomen.com and the extensive write-ups on each.  The JCA will put together some info on them when they are available for play next month.

Signees that you will see, however, on Sunday include Erin McNulty, Brigit Reder, and Sara Campbell. 

Erin “E” McNulty will remind long-time SoundersWomen faithful of Lindsay Jorgenson, the original keeper from the 2001 SoundersSelect side.  Erin dominates the goal mouth with size, great positioning, and range. The Canadian National notably shut out the US U-20 WNT to qualify for the Youth World Cup back in 2008.  Her most interesting tale, however, comes from the college ranks; after graduating from Florida State in 2010 with 13 shutouts in two seasons, E had two seasons of eligibility remaining and enrolled in a post-graduate program at Penn State.  After leading the Nittany Lions to a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year, McNulty had a shutout in the first round, cruised to a second round victory, then made three HUGE saves in a PK Shootout against Michigan to advance to the Elite 8.  In the Elite 8, McNulty shut out 3-seed Duke setting up a semifinal dual against her alma mater, Florida State, in the Semifinals. With a spot in the National Championship on the line, McNulty came up with 3 saves in the emotional overtime victory against her former teammates (Highlights).  Though Penn State came up short in the final, the path to get there rested securely in the hands of our new net minder.

Central Back Brigit Reder (@brigit_reder12) comes to us via Muncie, Indiana and Rochester, New York.  At Ball State, Reder scored 11 goals from the center back position.  Yes, you read that correctly: a central defender with 11 goals. Reder made the 25 player roster for the NWSL’s Western New York Flash, home to Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd, but just missed the cut to 20 on Monday.  Our front office was Johnny-on-the-spot, flew her out to Starfire, and signed the star defender Wednesday.  Her first scrimmage with the SoundersWomen took place last night against the PacNW U-17 boys and Reder’s presence was immediately felt.  She brings great communication, athleticism, and a both strong and accurate right foot to the backline.

Striker Sara Campbell brings a “wow” factor to the attacking third. Though a central midfielder thus far in her career, Sara made her Sounders debut at forward Thursday night.  It may take Sara time to get comfortable in her new role, but Hubey is spot on with this change; her experience at midfield has opened up her vision, developed her footskills, but her athleticism, quality finishing, and workrate will be a difference maker.  That Masters Degree in Fitness she earned in college will pay big dividends for our Sounders this season.

With 12 players currently signed, 13 roster spots remain for 2013 and though Hubert continues to recruit far and wide, we will see up to 15 trialists on display Sunday who must show well to earn a contract with the Sounders this season.  Here’s a bit about each:

Niki (Ironside) Bonnell (D, WashingtonState, @mrsbonnell): A  very familiar face for the Jet City nation is our very own secretary, Niki Bonnell.  Niki, a Sounders Alum., is back on the pitch after having her second child. Niki is a physical and experienced Outside-Back who epitomizes fitness, workrate, & communication.  A young Sounder side may benefit well from her guidance and experience.

Melissa Busque (M, UConn/SeattleU, @melissabusque): A standout at UConn, Melissa transferred to SeattleU for her final year of eligibility in 2012.  She is a creative, forward thinking distributor of the ball who started off her days at SeattleU with a hattrick against St. Mary’s (CA).  Mel settled back into her creative role the rest of the season.  At UConn, 7 of her 10 goals were game winners.

Jocelyn Charette (F, Tampa/SeattlePacific, @jocelyncharette): Jocelyn returns to the Sounders Women after a season with Issaquah SC of the WPSL.  Jocelyn is an athletic, 5’10”  forward who has been known to dominate in the air.  She was a standout two-sport athlete for Seattle Pacific who jumped 16 feet in the long jump for the Falcons.

Beth Drollinger (D, Gonzaga): Beth has anchored the backline for the Sounders for several years now.  She is a physical, demanding player who makes consistent, smart decisions with the ball and can create coming out of the back.  It is no surprise that Beth is smart on the ball; her day job is Bridge Engineer with HNTB, the nation’s top-rated long-span bridge design firm (2012 Roads & Bridges Magazine).

Theresa Henle (F, PugetSound): Theresa played college ball under former SoundersWomen Assistant coach Randy Hanson.  This, alone, lets us know that she’s a sound cerebral player.  She is a quality finisher and averaged nearly 10 goals a season at the University of Puget Sound.  The First Team All-NWC selection provides incredible calm on the ball, particularly on top of and inside the 18.

Sheridan Jones (M, Gonzaga): Sheridan, much like M’ily Reiter, is a quick, sure-footed midfielder that brings pace to the often crowded middle of the field.  Sheridan might have less flash than M’ily, but her pace, lean, and quality-passing are a nightmare for central defenders.

Megan Lindsay (F, SeattlePacific): Megan was a 3-time All-American with SPU and averaged nearly 10 goals a season over the course of her collegiate career.  Megan is another girl with quality finishing and great one-on-one skills.  She is also very opportunistic (think Roger Levesque) and knows how to find space in front of the net to goal-poach rebounds and crosses.

Carson McKole (M, CentralWashington): Carson is a crafty midfielder with dynamic on-ball technical skill.  She has the ability to dribble 18-to-18 through the center of the pitch but the vision to distribute and create along the way.  More than a few times in her collegiate career, Carson took over and created chances seemingly at will late in the game.

Adriana “A” Montes (M, Oregon): A native of Mexico, Adriana immigrated to Eugene, Oregon when she was four. She scored 60 goals at Willamette High School and after a year at Lane CC, A earned a spot in the Pac10 at Outside Mid with the Oregon Ducks.  The speedy midfielder is a true winger with big, explosive steps and a load of pace.

Jenna Peterson (D, Concordia): Federal Way native Jenna Peterson is a solid one-on-one defender who is also smart in her shape and a good communicator.  Jenna was a three-time NAIA All-American (First Team ’10,’12; Second Team ‘09] while anchoring the NAIA’s top defensive side.

Tafara “T” Pulse (M, SeattleU, @tpulse): It seems like just yesterday that T was captaining the Sounders Women  from her center-mid position.  The Seattle U Hall-of-Famer is a heady midfielder with great vision and technical skill.  At SeattleU, she was the GNAC’s first ever four-time All-Conference First Team Selection. Tafara is engaged to quirky local soccer coach and player Andrew Croft, and is to be married this summer.  J  Congrats T!

M’ily Reiter (M, SeattleU, @milyreiter): M’ily brings energy to the midfield.  Though compact, Reiter is quick, creative, and a nuisance to defenders.  Her workrate is overbearing and she brings flash and style along with great technical skill making her a consistent fan-favorite over the years. M’ily has typically been used as a late-game substitution and has been very effective in that role for the Sounders: breaking down tired defenses with an impressive increase in change of direction and pace.

Arica Slawson (M, CentralWashington): Arica comes back to the SoundersWomen after a stint with Issaquah SC in the WPSL.  Arica is an attacking winger with pace who likes to get defenders in one-on-one situations, square up their shoulders, and burn them with her speed and technical ability.  In 2010, Arica was selected for the All-Decade Team at the Central Washington Univesity.

Jamie Walker (GK, EasternWashington): Graham Kapowsin grad, Jamie Walker, showed very well in Thursday’s scrimmage against the boys: denying two fantastic goal-scoring opportunities.  At Eastern, Jamie was known for occasionally posting double-digit save games.  Jamie communicates well and is fighting for a spot on a team that has already signed two keepers, but has three coaches on staff with impressive experience between the pipes.

The Jet City Auxiliary wishes the best of luck to all the trialists and signees and can’t wait to get behind the goal in support on Sunday. 

Come back tomorrow for a detailed look at Oregon State and their star Jenna Richardson.

Remember to pick up your Membership Cards at Sunday’s game, find us at MAD Pizza before and after the game (20% Off with a JCA Membership), or in the Jet City End for the full 90.

Never Surrender Our Spirit!