West Windsor, N.J. (Monday, January 21, 2010) – As the excitement continues to grow around the New Jersey Wildcats, the team formally announces today the home contests of their 2010 USL W-League schedule. The Wildcats will play the home opening match of their 15th season when they host the Washington Freedom at TCNJ Lions Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. showdown on Thursday, May 27th, 2010.
“Obviously, we are very excited for our first home game,” Wildcats Coach Kevin McDermott anxiously stated. “There is a lot of momentum behind our team right now, and things are moving rather quickly. As a team, we couldn’t be more excited about where we are headed.”
The Wildcats are one of seven members in the Northeast Division of the USL W-League Eastern Conference, and the team will play a 12-match schedule this season with those contests being played in front of the home crowd at TCNJ Lions Stadium (3 games), Saint John Vianney HS (2 games), and TCNJ Soccer Complex (1 game). The squad is entering their 15th season of existence but is going into their 2nd season under the ownership group of USP Soccer, Inc.
“The upcoming season ushers in the second year of the new era and new look Wildcats. In our first year running the team we took a team that had a 1-13 record in 2008 to a winning season 7-6-1 in 2009 and expect this year to be an improvement on last,” Jim Gooley, Wildcats Vice President and Director of Game Day Operations, commented. “This is an exciting time for the organization, and we promise to keep all of our loyal fans fully entertained at all of our games. TCNJ and SJV are comfortable park-like settings and the entertaining-fun environment we create for the fans and families at our games will be just what the doctor ordered.”
The 2010 home slate for the Wildcats includes four Thursday night games and a pair of Sunday afternoon matches. The team will conclude the regular season on Sunday, July 8th, when they host the North Jersey Valkyries at Saint John Vianney for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
“Not only do we commit ourselves to providing quality soccer on the field, but we are also intimately involved with club and recreation programs throughout New Jersey,” McDermott said about the mission of the Wildcats. “We are actively involved with 22 clubs and recreation departments. Those who are not currently involved with us, we invite you to give us a call because we would love to get you involved with the excitement surrounding the Wildcats!”
Clubs and recreational departments who are interested in involving themselves with the Wildcats can reach the team office at (732) 963-9769.
2010 NEW JERSEY WILDCATS HOME SCHEDULE
Thurs, 5/27/10 Washington Freedom 7:30 p.m. @ TCNJ Lions Stadium
Sun, 6/6/10 Long Island Rough Riders 1:00 p.m. @ Saint John Vianney
Thurs, 6/17/10 Hudson Valley Quickstrike 7:30 p.m. @ TCNJ Lions Stadium
Thurs, 6/24/10 New Jersey Rangers 7:30 p.m. @ TCNJ Lions Stadium
Sun, 6/27/10 New York Magic 1:00 p.m. @ TCNJ Soccer Complex
Thurs, 7/8/10 North Jersey Valkyries 7:30 p.m. @ Saint John Vianney
The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the W-League in 1996 and have competed every season since. Under the guidance of then-head coach Charlie Naimo, the Wildcats compiled a 41-1 regular season record from 2004-06, winning regular season titles in 2004 and 2006 while taking the W-League championship in 2005. Following the 2005 season, the Wildcats were named the USL Franchise of the Year, and Naimo won the W-League Coach of the Year award in 2006.
The USL W-League played its inaugural season in 1995, and it is recognized as the premiere development league for female players in North America. The schedule is set to open next May and commence in August.
