The Wildcats opened up the scoring in this encounter in just the 11th minute of play, starting off a crafty possession from midfielder Claudia Vasquez of the Puerto Rican National Team. After acquiring the ball on the left flank near the center circle, Vasquez looked upfield and delivered a well-placed strike onto the feet of a streaking Jess Fuccello. The UPenn graduate then one-touched the ball forward and raced through a hole in the North Jersey defense to find herself all alone in front of Valkyries netminder Lianne Maldanado. Once seeing the situation, she chipped the ball over the head of Maldanado to give her team an early 1-0 advantage.

15 minutes later, Fuccello put herself on the other side of the stat sheet, hooking up fellow striker Daija Griffin in the right zone of the penalty area. Once gaining possession, the speedy Piscataway native turned on the jets and continued driving to that side. She then quickly stopped on a dime, which froze Maldanado, wasting no time in firing a right-footed shot into the wide side netting to make it 2-0 for the Wildcats.

North Jersey was then able to respond in the 28th minute, with midfielder Ashley Clarke breaking through the left side of the Wildcats box before feeding forward to early substitute Danielle Schulmann. The crafty striker then maneuvered herself around New Jersey goalkeeper Sage Dovale with the ball at her feet, making it to where she could easily tap in a goal with her left foot.

Despite the three goals in the first 30 minutes of this match, the first half scoring was still far from over. First, Griffin made some room towards the top of the box in the 42nd minute before quickly turning to find Fuccello. The New Jersey native then touched around a defender and fired a hard shot towards the far post that ripped into the netting, making it 3-1 in favor of the host side. 31st minute substitute Samantha McDonough later extended that lead to 4-1 in the waning seconds of the half, registering a stoppage time tally. After distribution came from Vasquez, she gained possession from deep out and caught Maldanado overcommitting to the long ball she received. Seeing the opportunity in front of her, McDonough quickly chipped a ball over the opposing netminder’s head, and the Wildcats were holding a 4-1 advantage when the two sides broke for intermission.

Only one goal was recorded in the second half, and it was done at the feet of the visiting Valkyries. After earning a free kick from about 30 yards out, North Jersey midfielder Nickolette Driesse stepped over the ball. Sensing a bit of an opening, Driesse then put a near perfect strike on a shot attempt, sending it over the New Jersey wall and ricocheting into the net after hitting the nearside post.

After seceding that goal to make it 4-2, the Wildcats buckled down on the defensive end of the field to make sure no more damage was done. Both sides turned up the aggression at that time as well, and a handful of yellow cards would be revealed as a result.

In the end, cooler heads prevailed, as did the host Wildcats. When the final whistle blew to conclude this match, New Jersey found itself three points richer after earning a 4-2 victory.

Next up for the Wildcats is a road outing on Saturday, June 1st, when the team travels to Virginia Beach to play the Piranhas and then the Fredericksburg Impact the following day. The next home match for New Jersey is on Saturday, June 8th, when it hosts the Piranhas at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are now available and can be attained by calling 732-298-7619. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“We look for Daija to add great pace and playmaking ability to our offense this season,” Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott commented. “She is a great addition to our team, and we expect her to make a big impression for us. We are very happy to have Daija on board.”

Griffin is a 2013 graduate of Piscataway (NJ) High School, earning four consecutive varsity letters while playing for the Chiefs. During her time in high school, she compiled a long list of accolades, including National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All America honors as well as being named the number 10 player in the state by TopDrawerSoccer. Additionally, she was acknowledged as the Greater Middlesex County (GMC) and All-Area Player of the Year while playing for Piscataway High School. She also led her team to four straight GMC Finals, including a championship in 2011. Griffin was similarly successful at the club level, winning two US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) National League crowns and three Premier League titles.

No stranger to the organization, Griffin recently helped head coach McDermott and the NJ Wildcats Lady Strikers-ASL side to the 2013 US Club State Championship this past weekend.

Griffin will join the Wildcats next Wednesday night at Lions Stadium at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, hosting the North Jersey Valkyries for its 2013 season opener at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are now available and can be attained by calling 732-298-7619. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the USL W-League in 1996 and have competed every year since. The team 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. After the completion of the 2008 season, USP Soccer headlined a new ownership regime for the Wildcats, and the team received postseason bids after each of its first three seasons with the group at the helm. The Wildcats are one of the longest running franchises in women’s soccer history, with the team kicking off its 18th year of play this summer in the W-League.

"Liz is a crafty midfielder that knives apart defenses with perfectly weighted final passes and also coming off the dribble,” Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott stated. “Liz will have a great career at TCNJ. She has a powerful and accurate outside shot, not to mention being one of the hardest workers in our club both on and off the field.”

Thoresen will be a senior this fall at Red Bank Catholic High School, making her a four-year varsity player. The Colts Neck native has started at center midfielder for the Caseys during the past two seasons, and the 2011 Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Sophomore of the Year has also received the honor of being named one of the Top Midfielders in Monmouth County. Her time at Red Bank Catholic has been a highly successful one, winning three conference titles, two state sectional crowns and a New Jersey State Championship.

As a member of the Wildcats Youth Soccer Club, Thoresen has served as captain at the U-15, U-16 and U-17 level. Additionally, she was first named to the Wildcats Senior Team at the age of just 15-years-old. As a member of the Wildcats, the three-time MOSA Select Team honoree has reached great achievements, both individually and on the team level.

Thoresen will get her first taste of the pitch at TCNJ when the Wildcats open the 2013 USL W-League season at The College of New Jersey in Ewing on Wednesday, May 22nd, hosting the North Jersey Valkyries at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are now available and can be attained by calling 732-298-7619. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the USL W-League in 1996 and have competed every year since. The team 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. After the completion of the 2008 season, USP Soccer headlined a new ownership regime for the Wildcats, and the team received postseason bids after each of its first three seasons with the group at the helm. The Wildcats are one of the longest running franchises in women’s soccer history, with the team kicking off its 18th year of play this summer in the W-League.

Message from Liz:
I would like to thank all of my coaches and trainers who have helped me be the best player I can be. The NJ Wildcats Organization is one of the best programs in the shore area. DOC Kevin McDermott and coach Tommy Boykin continue to push me to become better through dedication and commitment to myself and my teammates. Because of this, I will be playing for one of the top women's soccer program in the country, TCNJ, and Coach Russo, known for a winning tradition and great soccer like the NJ Wildcats Organization. Most of all, I have to thank my parents! They were always there for me, and I will never forget this for as long as I live! I love you, Mom and Dad.

“We are very happy to have Danae return to the Wildcats this fall, and she will play a pivotal role in how well we do this season,” head coach Kevin McDermott stated. “I have truly enjoyed watching Danae develop into an elite soccer player during her time with the Wildcats, and I know she will continue to have great success as she heads off to Chapel Hill to play for UNC in the fall.”

O’Halloran has spent the past two seasons playing with the full Wildcats side, compiling two goals and a pair of assists in just four matches in 2012. The previous year, she contributed two assists to the Wildcats stat sheet. It has not been an easy road to North Carolina for the Toms River native, who has overcome ACL tears to both knees in the past two years to ink a college contract with the Tar Heels. UNC is the most successful women’s soccer program in college history, winning 22 of the 32 total NCAA College Cups that have been played, including the 2012 National Championship this past fall.

O’Halloran and the Wildcats return to Lions Stadium at The College of New Jersey in Ewing on Wednesday, May 22nd, hosting the North Jersey Valkyries for its 2013 season opener at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-298-7619. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the USL W-League in 1996 and have competed every year since. The team 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. After the completion of the 2008 season, USP Soccer headlined a new ownership regime for the Wildcats, and the team received postseason bids after each of its first three seasons with the group at the helm. The Wildcats are one of the longest running franchises in women’s soccer history, with the team kicking off its 18th year of play this summer in the W-League.

to tryout email uspindoor2012@aol.com your name/age/sex...

(left) Wildcats W-League & Youth Player player Danae O’Halloran in action...she will be heading to UNC Chapel Hill this coming fall...UNC Tarheels won the 2012 NCAA National Championship!

ADDRESS: MANA PARK - 535 LONG BRANCH AVE, LONG BRANCH, NJ

to tryout email uspindoor2012@aol.com your name/age/sex...

"Resolution Sports is the top media relations company in the country in our view, and we are very excited to work with them again this season!” Wildcats President and head coach Kevin McDermott stated. “We have developed a great relationship with Resolution Sports over the years, and we look forward to continuing this partnership well into the future.”

The New Jersey Wildcats and Resolution Sports began their partnership prior to the start of the 2008 USL W-League season, and the two groups have worked together every season since then.

“The New Jersey Wildcats were one of the original partners of Resolution Sports when the company was founded, and we are ecstatic to continue working with them for a fifth consecutive year,” Resolution Sports CEO John Archibald remarked. “The Wildcats are one of the most historically successful teams both in the USL W-League and the game of women’s soccer overall. It is a privilege for us to keep working alongside such a class organization.”

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the USL W-League in 1996 and have competed every year since. The team 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. After the completion of the 2008 season, USP Soccer headlined a new ownership regime for the Wildcats, and the team received postseason bids after each of its first three seasons with the group at the helm. The Wildcats are one of the longest running franchises in women’s soccer history, with the team kicking off its 18th year of play this summer in the W-League.

The Wildcats return to Lions Stadium at The College of New Jersey in Ewing on Wednesday, May 22nd, hosting the North Jersey Valkyries for its 2013 season opener at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-298-7619. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are both available.

Click this link to Register - http://www.njwildcats.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gpx::72139+L2/+E+188.

"We are very excited to start our Men’s Program this Summer by forming our U23 team.  We now have 2 boy’s youth teams and 1 men’s U23 team.  We have been in discussions with the USL about purchasing a PDL franchise for the 2014 season and it looks very promising.  Forming our U23 team this summer is the first step towards PDL.  We also will be forming boys youth teams in every age group in the month’s and year’s ahead as well," stated Kevin McDermott, President of NJ Wildcats. 

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.

“The New Jersey Wildcats are a very talented team and I am looking forward to our upcoming season.  I believe in Steven Prefontaine’s words, ‘[t]o give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.’ With these words in my mind, I will give my absolute best on and off the field this season," remarked Rachel.

"Rachel Breton and our other attackers which I can’t name at this time are going to be the most dynamic front 6 in the W-League this summer of 2013," stated Head Coach Kevin McDermott, "It has been this ownership groups goal from day 1 to win the W-League Championship and Rachel and our other standouts to be named at a later date are going to be the most exciting group of attackers since our franchises 2005 championship squad."

"This was the best tryout turnout with the highest quality players in the four years we have ran the team," stated Head Coach Kevin McDermott.

"With a great core of veterans returning paired with the talent here today we are set to field a top team for the 2013 season and everyone is excited about it," commented Coach Homere Breton.

Players will be contacted via email within the next 10 to 14 days if they made the team.  If you have questions or were unable to attend the tryout and would like to be part of the team please direct them to Josie Fedak, Director of Operations, at NJwildcats1996@aol.com.

The Wildcats showed a rather significant difference on the stat sheet over this match, out-shooting the visiting Rangers by a count of 35-1. Forward Andrea Lopez and midfielder Yael Averbuch each added a pair of scores to join Ivanicki with multi-goal efforts, while three players each tallied multiple assists as well. Midfielders Kristen Edmonds and Andie Lakin led the Wildcats with three assists, and midfielder Danae O’Halloran registered two helpers for her team. An impressive mark was also set by the host Wildcats, which penciled four high school players into the Starting XI.

Two Wildcats goalkeepers combined for the club’s first clean slate of the year, with starter Chante Sandiford putting in 70 minutes before Lauren Smedley checked into the contest to finish off the shutout. Despite the final count on the scoreboard, the Rangers got a solid effort in net from Kayla Murphy, who was able to record nine saves in the outing.

A season-high crowd was on hand to cheer the Wildcats onto victory, and a large group of those supporters joined the team at halftime in an attempt to break the New Jersey state juggling record, which the team unofficially set in 2009 (675). While the number of participants at Saint John Vianney High School on Thursday night may have been just under the previous record, hundreds of excited youth players showcased their juggling skills for those in attendance.

The Wildcats will now close out the 2012 schedule on Saturday when it travels to play the New York Magic in a 4:00 p.m. road match at Iona College.

SCORING SUMMARY:
4’ Rachel Ivanicki (Danae O’Halloran)
23’ Danae O’Halloran (Kristen Edmonds)
25’ Yael Averbuch (Danae O’Halloran)
36’ Andrea Lopez (Rachel Ivanicki)
38’ Yael Averbuch (Kristen Edmonds)
47’ Rachel Ivanicki (Andie Lakin)
52’ Andrea Lopez (Andie Lakin)
53’ Jesse McDonough
58’ Andie Lakin (Kristen Edmonds)
62’ Jess Fuccello
67’ Rachel Ivanicki (Jess Fuccello)
82’ Kristen Edmonds (Andie Lakin)

The Wildcats wasted little time in getting the offense going, hanging its first scoring notch in just the eighth minute of this contest. On a play that started from the left corner flag, defender Taylor Mims hit a pass over to Lopez, who then turned and found Breton with some room in front of the goal. Breton then side stepped a defender, which opened up enough space for her to fire a right-footed rocket into the far netting and give her club a 1-0 advantage.

The lead was extended to a pair of scores eight minutes later, when Edmonds connected with Averbuch for the first of two goals on the night. The Metuchen native collected in the midfield before sending a high ball forward where Averbuch was able to easily settle and work herself into a 1v1 with Rangers netminder Lauren Mains. The former NCAA and Women’s Professional Soccer Champion then quickly touched the ball to the left outside of a diving Mains to find a wide open net in front of her, and she then booted it home to place a 2-0 count on the scoreboard.

One more scoring play would occur in the opening half for the home team, and it happened in the 42nd minute. After gaining possession in the midfield, Averbuch delivered a perfectly struck feed to the front line where Brooks snuck under it and settled before taking a couple of steps forward with the ball at her feet. As soon as she saw some space in front of her, she then blasted a left-footed strike towards the frame that ripped into the right netting.

The Wildcats then added another insurance goal when the second half got underway, with Edmonds again hooking up Averbuch in the 50th minute. On that scoring play, Edmonds had possession on the right end line by the Wildcats goal. She then looked up to find Averbuch open in front of the frame awaiting distribution, so she quickly dished the ball over to her. Once settling the feed, the Montclair native showed no hesitation before hammering a strike over the head and out of the reach of Mains, giving her team a four-notch lead, 4-0.

Despite the disadvantage, the Rangers continued to fight and eventually got on the board in the 77th minute of this match, scoring on a connection that featured forward Gabrielle Galanti setting up midfielder Connie Gormley.

The Wildcats are now off this weekend before returning to TCNJ in Ewing next Thursday, June 14th, hosting the Long Island Rough Riders in a battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“Maya was very dangerous for us last week,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “Her pace and attacking ability combined with the quality play from our midfielders, who were finding her behind the back four, really created some good chances. I think the next step for her now is to become even more efficient so she can put away more of those opportunities.”

A native of West Orange, New Jersey, Hayes was a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist last fall at Penn State University after leading the nation with 31 goals and 70 points in just her sophomore campaign for the Nittany Lions, adding eight assists to her season totals. She was also named the Big Ten Forward of the Year while being placed on the First Team of virtually every accredited organization in the country. On the international level, she original suited up for the U.S. National Team at the U-15 level and has since won the 2010 and 2012 CONCACAF Championships with the U-20 side.

The Wildcats were back in action on Wednesday night and defeated the Rangers by a count of 4-1 to take over sole possession of first place in the W-League Northeast Division. The team is now off this weekend before returning to TCNJ in Ewing next Thursday, June 14th, hosting the Long Island Rough Riders in a battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The action was very even throughout the 90 minutes of play, with each side creating some legitimate opportunities on the offensive end of the field while also putting forth strong defensive efforts. Disaster almost struck for the host side in the opening minute of the game when a shot from Long Island midfielder Amanda Ferranto struck the far post before being cleared, and the Rough Riders nearly found a go-ahead notch a few minutes later after defender Kimberley DeCesare fired a close-range shot wide of the frame.

After the early danger settled down, the Wildcats started to put together some runs that caused the hometown fans to rise to their feet on multiple occasions. University of Tennessee product Kylee Rossi seemed to be at the forefront of those chances, but she unfortunately had to leave the field in the 32nd minute due to injury.

After neither side found a goal in the first half, Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra moved Canadian National Team defender Candace Chapman to the midfield, and her pace alongside Kristen Edmonds began to open up things for the attacking line in front of them. The hosts began to find speedy play from the entire roster, feeding the ball to the flanks before some dangerous crosses were delivered to the front of the opposing goal.

The stalemate was finally broken in this pairing when Long Island hit the first goal of the evening in the 64th minute. Forward Grace Hawkins started the play to eventually earn her team-leading 19th point of the season, collecting the ball in the midfield before sending it forward to a racing Sciasca. The speedy striker then ran under the ball and took a couple of touches, which earned a 1v1 situation with Wildcats goalkeeper Chante Sandiford. Before Sandiford had time to truly react, Sciasca slotted a strike underneath her to hang the lone tally of the game.

Both teams continued to battle the rest of the way, but that score would become the difference in the outcome. With the win, the Rough Riders reclaim first place in the Northeast Division and possess a one-point advantage over the Wildcats.

Next up for the Wildcats is a rematch between these two sides on Saturday, June 23rd, with kickoff slated for 4:00 p.m. at Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel. The site will serve as the host venue for the Wildcats for each of its final three home contests.

Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163, and they also are available the day of the game at the gate. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The Magic opened up the scoring in this contest in the 22nd minute after midfielder Yuiko Inoue collected a ball in the middle of the field. She then stepped left with the ball at her feet before splitting the defense with a feed right in front of Toni Smith racing to the goal. The New York defender then took a couple touches before finding space to slot the ball under a diving Sandiford, giving her side the early advantage.

After that 1-0 count stood into halftime, the Wildcats regrouped and came out with an inspired cause in the second half. In the 53rd minute, the hosts would find an equalizer. On that scoring play, midfielder Kristen Edmonds gained possession in the center of the pitch and then dished to her left where Andrea Lopez was awaiting distribution. The Monmouth graduate then one-touched the feed before sending it to the front of the frame. Negron was the player who rewarded from the pass, and she fired the ball into the back of the net to make it even at a goal apiece.

10 minutes later, New Jersey claimed its first lead of the evening. With the ball at her feet, Edmonds shook a defender in front of her and then struck it towards the goal. Again in the perfect position to capitalize was Negron, who immediately gathered it and sent it into the back of the net. After 63 minutes of play, the Wildcats held a 2-1 edge.

New Jersey eventually solidified the win and three points in the 84th minute, making the count 3-1 following a Yael Averbuch corner kick. After the UNC Hall of Famer sent a cross into the target area on the set piece, defender Tori Leigh was the beneficiary of the distribution, heading the ball home for her first goal of the season.

New York continued to drive over the remaining minutes of play, but the Wildcats defense was more than up to the challenge and prevented any more damage. After 90 minutes were in the books, New Jersey hung a 3-1 victory on the scoreboard.

Next up for the Wildcats is a road match on Wednesday, July 11th, when the team plays the North Jersey Valkyries. The final home contest of the regular season will occur the next day with a hosting of the New Jersey Rangers at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that game are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163, and they are also available the day of the game at the gate. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are on sale.

“We have to make sure we don’t get caught looking forward,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “Every game has a lot of meaning for us the rest of the way, and we cannot allow ourselves to have any kind of letdown right now. The tightness of the division, along with having Long Island and the Valkyries ahead of us, makes it critical that we pick up three points this weekend.”

Long Island currently sits in first place in the division with 18 points in nine matches, while the Valkyries are in the second slot with 16 points in eight contests. Both clubs play this weekend, as Long Island hosts the New Jersey Rangers (1-7-0, 3 points) on Saturday, and the Valkyries travel to the Magic on Sunday.

“Everyone understands how important the remaining games are, and this kind of challenge brings out the best in everybody as players,” Gabarra continued. “It is very important that we come out sharp on Saturday and play a solid 90 minutes.”

This contest marks the second meeting between the Wildcats and New York this year, with the first match occurring over the opening weekend of the season. In that game, the Magic took a lead in the 59th minute off a Rashidah Sherman notch, but the Wildcats responded later in the second half with a Kristen Edmonds to Andrea Lopez goal to hang what would be the final score, 1-1.

Tickets for Saturday and all Wildcats home matches are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163, and they also are available the day of the game at the gate. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The host Wildcats wasted no time whatsoever in claiming an early lead in the game, scoring its first notch in just the second minute of action. On that play, midfielder Amber Brooks collected possession deep on her end of the field before looking up to a ton of real estate in front of Lopez on the left flank. The UNC product then delivered a ball over the heads of the opposing midfield into that open space, where Lopez ran under it and took it to the left side of the penalty area. She then turned and sent a ball to the mouth of the goal for Averbuch, who quickly turned and booted a strike into the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.

That same scoring duo hooked up again before halftime, registering a second goal in the 38th minute. Lopez battled a Long Island defender on the end line to earn a corner kick, and she decided to take the ensuing attempt. She then raised her hand and sent distribution to the center of the field, and Averbuch was there to settle before firing a left-footed rifle into the far netting. When the whistle was soon after blown for intermission, the home side saw itself with a two-goal edge.

The Rough Riders did make it very interesting in the waning minutes of this contest after pushing forward for the entirety of the second half. In the 83rd minute, midfielder Kaila Sciascia collected a corner kick on the right side of the penalty area. She then dealt a quick feed to defender Vaila Barsley directly in front of the goal, and she quickly one-touched a strike into the top netting before Sandiford had any time to react.

Next up for the Wildcats is a hosting of the New York Magic on Saturday, June 30th, with kickoff slated for 4:00 p.m. at Saint John Vianney High School. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163, and they also are available the day of the game at the gate. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“It is not the easiest of schedules, but you have to deal with the cards you are dealt,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “Fortunately for us, the most important game is tonight. If we do not make sure to take care of getting three points in this one, the next two games do not mean much. We need to win tonight and then carry it through the weekend. It is tough to play three games in four days, but we just have to pour everything into this next one and see if we have enough in the tank to close it out properly in the final two.”

The Valkyries are currently in second place in the Northeast Division, but a win tonight would close the gap to just two points for the Wildcats, which would then have a match in hand to overcome those final points. Both the Valkyries and Wildcats are currently chasing the first place Long Island Rough Riders, which have 24 points and just a regular season finale on Saturday against the Valkyries left on the schedule. If the Wildcats close out the season with three wins to earn nine points, the team would win the division crown and reach the playoffs with a Long Island loss or tie against the Valkyries. Before any of those scenarios matter, however, the Wildcats must handle business on Wednesday night when it heads into Wayne.

“We have to put it all on the line tonight,” Gabarra continued. “Obviously, we have to get three points to make the final two games matter. Once we do that, then we can look at how we will attack the next game and see how we can manipulate the roster to give some players a little bit of a break. We will continue to apply that strategy through Saturday and keep our focus on getting the three points in each game.

“The biggest one for us is tonight against a team that is playing really well. We have to put it all on the line and get the result.”

Fans are strongly encouraged to join the Wildcats at De Paul Catholic High School and cheer the team onto victory. Tickets for the final Wildcats home match on Thursday, which will be played at Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel, are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163 or at the gate on Thursday. The Wildcats will be attempting to break the New Jersey state record for most people juggling a soccer ball at halftime of that game, so all fans should bring a soccer ball to take part in the potentially historical event.

Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available for the home finale.

Long Branch, N.J. (Tuesday, July 3, 2012) – The New Jersey Wildcats (5-2-2, 17 points) will look to break the New Jersey state juggling record at halftime of its 2012 home finale on Thursday, July 12th, when the team hosts the New Jersey Rangers in a 7:30 p.m. match at Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel. The Wildcats set what is regarded as the state record in 2009 when it had 675 participants juggle a soccer ball during halftime of one of its games.

“We have had a lot of fun holding the juggling contest in the past, and this is a great way to have our fans become part of our in-game activities,” Wildcats President Kevin McDermott remarked. “We invite everyone throughout the State of New Jersey to come out to Saint John Vianney on the 12th to watch some great soccer and even be part of history if we can break the record.”

Anyone who wants to participate in the halftime juggling contest will need to bring their own soccer ball to the game on July 12th, and they will be escorted onto the field as soon as the first half comes to its conclusion. As a special incentive, tickets purchased in advance for the match will be 50% off the regular game day price of $10. If you are interested in pre-ordering the discounted $5 tickets, email njwildcats1996@aol.com to inform the Wildcats of how many you will need. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available for the 2012 home finale.

The Wildcats are currently engulfed in a heated race for the 2012 Northeast Division crown in the USL W-League. Along with the Wildcats, the Long Island Rough Riders and North Jersey Valkyries are battling it out for the division title with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Wildcats have three more games left on the regular season schedule, and the team will more than likely need to win the division championship to advance to the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

“The way the division is shaking out, there is a lot riding on this game,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra confirmed. “It has become a lot more even in the standings over the past few weeks. There has been some surprise results, and we have let some points slip away.”

This match marks the second meeting between the Wildcats and Long Island, with the first contest resulting in a 3-2 win for the Rough Riders after a stoppage time own goal went in its favor.

“We have three total games against Long Island, and this is our first home game with them,” Gabarra continued. “We dropped a heart breaking loss up there in Long Island, so we have to do our best tomorrow to get back those three points. We want to make sure we stay ahead of the pack, and the way we do that is to take each game one at a time and make sure to not look too far ahead.”

After starting the season with three consecutive wins, the Rough Riders have come out on the wrong side of their last two results, 1-0 defeats to the New York Magic and North Jersey Valkyries. Long Island does still hold a 20-4 goal advantage on the year, which would be used as the tiebreaker if the team finished even in the divisional standings at the end of the regular season. The Wildcats currently possess a 19-10 goal differential but aim to make sure no tiebreakers are necessary at the conclusion of the W-League schedule. A home win tomorrow evening against the Rough Riders would be a very positive stride in that direction.

Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163, and they also are available the day of the game at the gate. Individual tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“We have been working on an affiliation between Sky Blue FC and the Wildcats since last fall, and we decided to move forward despite the suspension of the 2012 WPS season,” Gabarra said of the union. “With our relationship, I will be coming aboard to coach the current team that the Wildcats have in place, which is a very good group. I am looking forward to working with a new group of players, and, as with every team, expectations are to make the playoffs and compete to win a championship.”

Gabarra spent 10 years with the Washington Freedom before joining Sky Blue FC as its head coach, and he was the only coach to lead his team to the playoffs in each of the first two WPS seasons. He began his tenure in Washington in 2001, leading the Freedom to back-to-back appearances in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) Championship Game in both the 2002 and 2003 campaigns. After winning the 2003 league title in what became the final year of WUSA, Gabarra continued the success with Washington into the USL W-League. He again reached the pinnacle of the sport when he led the Freedom to the 2007 W-League Championship, also being named a W-League Coach of the Year Finalist. Over the past 13 months with Sky Blue FC, Gabarra also orchestrated international soccer tours with the club that included trips to both Turkey and Japan.

“There are a lot of teams in this area, and I think Kevin and the Wildcats have done a very good job in developing a really quality club with teams and players of all levels,” Gabarra continued. “An affiliation between Sky Blue FC and the Wildcats makes sense for both organizations, and we are at the onset of a very good relationship here.”

As a player, Gabarra capped 14 times for the U.S. National Team from 1986-1989, including his playing in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The Key West native also enjoyed a prolific career in professional indoor soccer and served as captain of the U.S. National Futsal Team from 1986-1996. He originally began his professional playing career outdoors in 1982 when he debuted with the Detroit Express of the American Soccer League (ASL), winning a league championship in his first season of play. The Connecticut College Hall of Fame member then took his game indoors in 1984 with the Louisville Thunder, making successful stops with multiple clubs from then until 1993, also taking his first crack at coaching on the indoor platform.

“We are very excited about the addition of Jim Gabarra to our staff, a proven championship coach who has seen a great deal of success at every level of the game,” said McDermott, who is also a co-owner and serves as President of the Wildcats. “With his knowledge and experience being presented to our organization, we have now taken our high expectations for this season to an even greater degree. We are also pleased to have formally united with Sky Blue FC, and we look forward to developing our relationship together.”

In addition to Gabarra taking over the role of head coach for the Wildcats, the two organizations will also work together in marketing efforts and consideration with players.

“It is great to have quality leadership and a winner coming into your team,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “Granted, she will only be here for a brief time, but every game and training session that she is here will certainly elevate our club. She is a quality leader, and she will make everyone around her better. She will help out our defense right from the start, not only with her presence but also her organization.”

While Chapman may only be able to play two matches with the Wildcats before returning to national team duty, the impact of having such a class player with the team is certain to leave a lasting impression on the club once she leaves.

“Anytime players can train with a top international player, they get to see in person the level of play that she brings,” Gabarra continued. “That is one of the great things about having international players with your team. They make the unit as a whole better, and, at the same time, they also benefit from the quality environment that we present as well.”

On the international level, Chapman began her career with the Canadian U-19 side before being called up to the full team at the age of just 19-years-old, and the Notre Dame alumna has since capped over 100 times for her nation. On the professional platform, she played the previous three seasons in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), winning a pair of league championships. After suiting up for the Boston Breakers in 2009, she helped anchor the defense of FC Gold Pride and then the Western New York Flash, earning back-to-back league titles.

Chapman began her club career with the Toronto Inferno of the USL W-League in 2001 and then joined the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2005 before spending three seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In her first year with the Canadian club, she helped bring the Whitecaps its second title in three years.

Don’t miss your chance to see Chapman play with the Wildcats! Tickets for all home matches are now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The Rangers actually struck first in this match in the 15th minute, with Lauren Manna chipping a ball forward where Amanda Jones was able to run under it on the left side of the penalty area. After a brief mis-hit on the back line, Manna earned a 1v1 with Wildcats goalkeeper Chante Sandiford. Before Sandiford was given the opportunity to close the gap on the run, Manna put a right foot on the ball and placed it into the far netting.

The equalizer in this match would come 14 minutes later after Wildcats midfielder Yael Averbuch collected a ball and sent it over to Hayes, who immediately raced towards the goal. After being able to work her way through the left side of the box, the Penn State product found some space and struck a powerful shot under Rangers netminder Hannah Steadman, making the count even at one each in the 29th minute.

Gaining momentum off the Hayes notch, the Wildcats were able to hang another pair of goals to the scoreboard in the opening half, with the next tally coming in the 38th minute. On that scoring play, Hayes gained possession on the right flank just a few steps off the near post, and she then turned and dished a ball in front of the goal to a wide open Lopez. Needing a single touch, Lopez put the feed into the back of the net, and the visiting side gained a 2-1 advantage.

The final score of the first half came right before intermission, occurring after Averbuch was able to collect the ball at the top of the key. With her back to the goal, she quickly turned and found a streaking Hayes, who took a couple touches before slotting a ball under Steadman for her second notch of the afternoon.

Hayes wasted little time in completing a hat trick once the second half got underway, scoring her third goal of the game in the 63rd minute. After receiving the ball in the midfield, she raced down the field until she saw enough room in front of her to fire a shot towards the frame. The ball came with too much velocity for substitute Rangers goalkeeper Alexandra Couzo, and the Wildcats possessed a 4-1 lead off the third Hayes tally of the match.

With the game seemingly in hand, both sides continued to play hard, and Brooks eventually added her name to the stat sheet after being taken down in the box on an aggressive run she made from the midfield. On the ensuing penalty kick, she calmly stepped over the ball and struck it into the right netting to make it a 5-1 count for the Wildcats.

The final goal of this outing came in the 87th minute on a scoring play that started at the feet of defender Taylor Mims. Patiently holding her line to make sure she was still onsides, Brooks was the recipient of an overhead pass from Mims, and she sped forward before sending a ball through the Rangers back line in front of a racing Hayes. After touching the ball around a diving Couzo, Hayes easily booted a right footed strike into the net for her fourth goal of the afternoon, hanging the final 6-1 count for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will now return home to TCNJ in Ewing on Wednesday, June 6th, hosting the Rangers. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“We got a great three points on the road against a good Valkyries team, and then we headed to Long Island, which is always a difficult place to play,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra commented. “We played really well there but then ran out of gas a bit at the end.”

In that outing with Long Island, Wildcats midfielder Yael Averbuch started the scoring in the 36th minute, but the Rough Riders responded with a pair of second half goals. New Jersey then equalized on a Maya Hayes goal in the 78th minute, but an own goal in stoppage time would prove to be the eventual difference on the scoreboard.

“If we got out of there with a draw, we gain four points from a possible six in those two games,” Gabarra remarked. “Instead, we walked away with a tough loss in Long Island after giving away a late goal. What we have to make sure to do is take away the positives, and we know we are getting better with each game. We had a strong roster for these two games, so we just need to move forward and keep getting better.”

After playing two contests on consecutive days, the Wildcats will again head north on Saturday, but Gabarra thinks the depth and fitness of the roster will be more than capable of optimal performance in that match.

“We will be at full strength. We will have a couple of players back who did not play in one or both of those last two games,” he confirmed. “There are only a handful of players who gave 90 minutes in both of those games, so we will just keep grinding and do our best to get the result. We have a pretty deep roster, and this stretch has given everyone an opportunity to contribute, which is good.”

The Wildcats will return home to TCNJ in Ewing on Wednesday, June 6th, hosting the Rangers. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“We are fortunate that we have some players coming into the roster who will help us,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra said of keeping players as fresh as possible for this busy slate of action. “No matter how you cut it up, three games in four days is going to create some fatigued players come Saturday. It is also three big games early in the year, and these could dictate how our season goes.”

Gabarra says part of the strategy over the next few days will be finding ways to rest players, but each match must be viewed as being the most important on the docket.

“We have to approach each game as they come, and, as the results unfold, we can figure out how to rest players and the spread the minutes out as best we can,” he commented. “That depends on depth at each position, and I think we are pretty much covered there, especially with the new players coming into the roster.”

Facing such a critical point on the schedule, the focus of the Wildcats will be to take each game one at a time while concentrating on the task at hand.

“We have to try and get three points in every match,” Gabarra concluded. “As the match unfolds and we find opportunities to rest some players, we will take advantage of that. We cannot sacrifice any one game for the next, though. We just have to manage as best we can and get all of the points we can possibly get.”

After this three-game road swing, the Wildcats will return home to TCNJ in Edison on Wednesday, June 6th, hosting the New Jersey Rangers. Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

The Valkyries got on the board first with a pair of goals in the opening half of this one, with the first notch coming in the 15th minute. On that scoring play, North Jersey midfielder Nickolette Driesse received the ball on the left flank and took a couple of steps forward after collecting the feed. Finding space in front of her, she then put a hard touch on the ball from about 30 yards out and was able to slot it past Wildcats goalkeeper Lauren Smedley. The second score came with just two minutes remaining before intermission, and it was the result of a scramble for possession in front of the Wildcats goal. Just one minute after checking into the match, Valkyries substitute Ashley Clarke was able to use her fresh legs to gather the ball amid the struggle and then fired a shot into the back of the net, giving her side a 2-0 advantage when the halftime whistle was blown.

North Jersey switched to a defensive approach in the second half, leaving just a single player on top and keeping the rest of their squad back to protect against the New Jersey attack. The Wildcats brought on a handful of substitutes during the second half to keep the pace more rapid, and the team was playing with a ton of heart and energy in front of their hometown crowd.

In the 73rd minute of play, New Jersey saw its inspired effort pay dividends after midfielder Andrea Lopez gained possession on the left flank and raced to the corner flag with the ball at her feet. Once finding some space, she then sent a well placed drive across the mouth of the goal, where a perfectly positioned Esmeralda Negron was there to pound the feed into the net and close the gap to one score, 2-1.

Sensing how close an equalizer was at this point, the Wildcats turned it up another level and aggressively attacked the Valkyries goal. Had it not been for three class saves from North Jersey netminder Katherine Courter, the game would have become level a lot sooner, but it eventually set to stage for a dramatic finish to this match. With the final minute turning on the clock, Barthel collected the ball on the right flank and made her move down the pitch. She then looked to her left and dealt a cross to the middle of the field, and awaiting the distribution was Edmonds, who had nearly scored on multiple occasions during this contest. As the ball approached her, Edmonds positioned herself and then selected the perfect time to put a hard strike on the feed. After getting a solid leg on the ball, she looked ahead and saw it fly into the goal to equalize the game at two goals each, sending the hometown crowd into an uproar.

New Jersey continued to attack in the waning moments of this match, nearly creating some more opportunities, but the final 2-2 count was still standing when the head official blew the final whistle.

Next up for the Wildcats is a pair of road pairings next week, first against the Valkyries on Wednesday before facing the Rough Riders in Long Island the following night. The team will return to TCNJ on Wednesday, June 6th, hosting the New Jersey Rangers.

Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available now.

Ewing, N.J. (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) – The New Jersey Wildcats (0-0-1, 1 point) will open its 2012 USL W-League home slate on Wednesday evening at 8:15 p.m., welcoming the North Jersey Valkyries (0-0-0) to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Lions Stadium. The match marks the first of three home games for the Wildcats at TCNJ, as the team will also host three contests at Saint Vianney High School in Holmdel this season.

“I am confident that there will be some type of women’s pro league in 2013, and New Jersey will most likely play a big role in that,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “We are looking at two good New Jersey teams battling it out tonight, and I think that shows the level of talented and quality players that the state has.”

The Wildcats are coming off a 1-1 draw against the New York Magic in its season opener last Saturday, with the team leveling terms in that outing on a second half goal by forward Andrea Lopez. Some players who will likely make some notable contributions to the club this year were unavailable in that match, but the roster on the field proved its ability in grabbing the ever-important point on the road. Working with a differing roster is something that will play a role from game-to-game in the W-League, and Gabarra says being able to deal with that fact is something important to reaching success in 2012.

“As coaches and players, we need to get used to having different players available, using flexible rosters and applying them to our system,” he stated. “We will have a couple players available tonight who were unavailable against the Magic. Next week, we play on back-to-back days, so we will have to use our full roster for those games. The quicker we can adjust to playing with a varying roster, the sooner we will be able to find the type of consistent success we desire on the field.”

Prior to the start of the W-League action tonight at TCNJ, youth matches will get underway around 6:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the youth games and then rally behind the Wildcats at 8:15 p.m. Tickets for the match tonight are available at the gate and can be purchased for $10 each for a general admission seat.

Tickets for all Wildcats home matches are also now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“I thought we put a good foot forward today. We got better as the game went on,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra stated. “All of our starters contributed and made a difference, while each of our subs also had an impact. We will continue to work on our fitness level and attacking, but it was a good overall starting point for us. We were able to get a point on the road against an improved team, and we will only become stronger as the season progresses. We will take the positives out of today and continue to build on them.”

The goal by Lopez put the match on level terms after the Magic was able to notch the first tally of the afternoon earlier in the second half. Edmonds put a solid strike on a ball that hit the crossbar and then bounced into the box, where an immediate scramble ensued for possession. Lopez then raced onto the loose ball and placed a foot on it. After a brief deflection off the New York defense, the ball redirected itself into the back netting, making the count one goal each in the second half. That score would stay for the remainder of the 90 minutes left to play, and the visiting club earned itself a critical road point.

The Wildcats will now open its 2012 home slate on Wednesday evening at The College of New Jersey when it hosts the North Jersey Valkyries at 8:15 p.m. While it is a quick turnaround, Gabarra says that can actually work to the benefit of the team.

“It’s probably better than having too much time because everything will be fresh on our minds. We will remember what we did and where we need to improve,” he remarked. “We will have a day of practice on Monday, one day off and then the game. I do not see any repercussions or negatives in that.”

Tickets for the home opening match are now available and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“It’s a challenge for all teams going into the season due to player availability,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra said of early season obstacles that W-League clubs face. “Teams can have what appears to be a very good roster but do not have their college players available. Also, there are youth national programs going on right now.”

However, the Wildcats have a roster of players who have seen success at both the college and W-League level, something that should provide good leadership for those new players who are joining the club.

“The group we have is an experienced one,” Gabarra remarked. “For the most part, we have a very good core that has been around for quite a few years. That will help us greatly in the early going. My approach is we are going to focus on getting better every game and try to get in the playoffs to win a championship.”

With the bulk of the Wildcats roster having been in place for the past few seasons, Gabarra feels that the team will definitely benefit from that fact, and it will also make getting everyone on the same page a more quickly accomplishable task.

“It is a huge asset to have players who are already familiar with each other, and it will pay us a lot of early dividends,” he continued. “It will certainly make my job a lot easier as well. I do not look at it as a matter of the players integrating into my system. Rather, it is much easier for me to integrate into what they are comfortable doing.”

After concluding the match on Saturday afternoon, the Wildcats will open its 2012 home slate on Wednesday evening at The College of New Jersey when it hosts the North Jersey Valkyries at 8:15 p.m. Tickets for that match are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

“Yael is a very technical player, and she brings to us a lot of experience in WPS and with the national team,” Wildcats head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “She will provide us with leadership, as well as stability, in the middle of the field. She will certainly be a big part of the back bone of this team. Additionally, I think it is really important we get as many New Jersey players as possible involved with the Wildcats and Sky Blue FC, long-term wise.”

Averbuch has played at every level of the U.S. National Team, and she owns 16 caps and a goal with the senior team. A veteran of the USL W-League, she became its youngest player ever when she debuted for the New Jersey Lady Stallions in 2002 at the age of just 14-years-old. When it came time for her to go to college, Averbuch attended the University of North Carolina and started every game over the four years she spent in Chapel Hill. Her 105 consecutive starts became the all-time record for both the Tar Heels as well as standing for the most in NCAA history. She served as team captain during her junior and senior campaigns, also helping North Carolina to NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2008. Individually, she scored 32 goals and 29 assists over her college career, one of the goals being an NCAA record breaker when she registered a tally just four seconds into a match against Yale University. She was also a three-time NSCAA All-American and All-ACC selection a player, as well as being named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy following her junior season. In acknowledgement of all of the success she had while playing in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels retired her #17 college jersey in 2009.

Once she finished up college, Averbuch became the fourth overall pick in the 2009 WPS College Draft by the New Jersey-based club Sky Blue FC, which recently formed an official partnership with the Wildcats. She made 14 starts over 18 matches during her rookie year, also helping Sky Blue FC to an unlikely run to the inaugural WPS Championship after winning three road games in eight days. She remained with the team for her sophomore campaign as a professional, making 19 starts over 23 games and scoring a dazzling game-winning volley against the Philadelphia Independence. This past WPS season, she played with the Western New York Flash and helped the club to the league title, her second championship in three years as a professional. At the conclusion of the 2012 WPS season, Averbuch headed overseas to Russia and played with FC Rossiyanka.

The New Jersey Wildcats will open the 2012 W-League season with a road contest against the New York Magic on Saturday, May 19th. The following week, the team opens its home slate at The College of New Jersey when it hosts the North Jersey Valkyries at 8:15 p.m. Tickets for that match are available now and can be attained by calling 732-720-9163. Individual game tickets as well as team and family packages are available.

Long Branch, NJ (February 9, 2012)

"Kristen is going to be a fantastic addition to our already star studded line-up.  I loved her game when I watched her play for Hudson Valley and feel she will fit in great with our 4-3-1-2 formation that we are set to play this summer of 2012.  I am very happy to have her onboard," remarked Kevin McDermott, head coach NJ Wildcats.

See Kristen’s background info and youtube video below:

Height: 5’4" / 1,63 m

Weight: 122 lbs / 56 kg

Foot: Both

Positions: Outside Mid, Forward

Club/College Career

2011 Stjarnan (Pepsideild, Iceland)

2009-2010 Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues (W-League)

2006-2008 Atlantic City Diablos (WPSL)

2005 New Jersey Wildcats (W-League)

2005-2008 Rutgers University

Accomplishments

2011 Icelandic Champion

2011 Icelandic Cup Winner

2009, 2010 W-League Regular Season Champion

2005 SoccerBuzz Mid-Atlantic Region All Freshman Team

Available Stats

Stjarnan

2011

Games Started: 8-6

Goals: 2

Quickstrike

2010

Games started: 12-10

Goals: 3

Assists: 2

2009

Games started: 13-13

Goals: 2

Assists: 3

Rutgers

2008

Games started: 22-22

Goals: 5

Assists: 6

2007

Games started: 16-16

Goals: 2

Assists: 1

2006

Games started: 21-21

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

2005

Games started: 19-19

Goals: 6

Assists: 6

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC9TcKiQ03U

Princeton, NJ (Thursday, October 27, 2011) - Esmeralda Negron ’05, the greatest scorer in Princeton soccer history who led the Tigers to the 2004 NCAA College Cup semifinals, confirmed her intentions to play for the NJ Wildcats for the upcoming 2012 season.

Known for her dynamic ability to break down defenders one-on-one and score goals in huge situations, Negron played in four NCAA tournaments at Princeton. She was a 2004 first-team All-America, a 2003 third-team All-America, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year and a three-time first-team All-Ivy League selection. She won the von Kiensbusch Award her senior year as Princeton’s top senior sportswoman, and she was named the No. 2 female athlete at Princeton in the last decade.

"Esmeralda Negron is the greatest player in princeton women’s soccer history, we are excited to have her play and captain our 2012 side," NJ Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott said. "Her experiences as a player in the women’s NCAA College Cup with Princeton, as part of the U.S. National Team program, and as a professional player both in this country and overseas, will add a major component to our roster as we look to build a championship side for the coming season.  Our coaching staff feels the leadership of Es, Kylee, and Lissette is just what we need to take our team back to the W-League Final 4.  Es, Kylee, and Lissette are great talents and great people and our franchise looks to them as leaders on the field and as great representatives of our organization."

During her days at Princeton, Negron scored 47 goals as part of her 112 career points, both Princeton records for both the men’s and women’s programs. The unforgettable season of 2004 saw Negron score 20 goals with 12 assists for a total of 52 points, all Princeton single-season records, leading the Tigers to the NCAA College Cup semifinal.

She scored the overtime goal against Harvard that year to propel the Tigers to a perfect Ivy League record, and she had a goal and assist in the NCAA quarterfinal win over Washington that advanced Princeton to the Final Four, making the 2004 Princeton team the only Ivy League team in any sport ever to advance to the Final Four of a 64-team NCAA tournament.

From 2001-04, Princeton had an overall record of 47-12-6 and an Ivy League mark of 22-4-2, winning three Ivy League championships.

Princeton made the NCAA tournament in all four seasons Negron was on the team, advancing to the second round in her freshman season of 2001, three years before the run to the national semifinal.

During the summer of 2004, Negron also played internationally with the United States U-21 team in Iceland and was a member of the pool for the full U.S. National women’s team.

See Kylee’s Bio below:

Accomplishments

Long Branch, N.J. (Saturday, September 10, 2011) - NJ Wildcats announce today that Andrea Lopez will be joining the 2012 team for a run at the USL W-League Final 4.  "Andrea is a crafty midfielder with the ability to score.  We love her creativilty in the final third.  She has a great workrate and has the commitment level we are looking for!  Our coaching staff looks for big things from her this summer!" stated Kevin McDermott, NJ Wildcats Head Coach.

2009: One of the top players in the Northeast Conference... Endless work rate in training and games... Strong left-sided player, who loves to take players on 1-v-1... Named the 2006 Northeast Conference Player and Rookie of the Year... Tabbed first-team all-league in both 2006 and 2007... Earned NSCAA/adidas third-team All-Mid Atlantic Region honor, as well as Freshman All-American status from SoccerBuzz... Named to 2006 and 2007 NEC All-Tournament Team... As a freshman, became highest scoring player at Monmouth since 1998.

2008: Started all 19 matches for the Hawks... Ranked second on the team with 17 points, behind six goals and a team-best tying five assists... Credited with four game-winning goals... Recorded a goal and two assists in Monmouth’s victory at NJIT (9/12)... Scored the game-winning goal, unassisted, in the 90th minute in a win over Iona (9/14)... Notched an assist in the Hawks’ 1-1 double overtime draw at Seton Hall (9/23)... Booked an assist against Saint Peter’s (9/28)... Recorded the game-winner at Quinnipiac (10/10) in the 89th minute... Collected an assist at CCSU (10/12)... Carded the game-winning score against Robert Morris (10/19)... Scored the game-winner in the 110th minute in a double overtime victory at Wagner (10/31)... Added a goal at Long Island (11/2).

2007: Earned First-Team All-NEC for a second straight year... Tied for team-lead in points (14)... Added five goals and four assists on the year... Scored lone goal in loss at La Salle (9/2)... Netted goal in draw with Lehigh (9/16)... Registered a three-point game with a goal and an assist in victory at Lafayette (9/26)... Added two helpers in win at Fairleigh Dickinson (10/12)... Knocked in a goal off a blocked shot in 1-1 tie at Sacred Heart (10/14)... Scored game-winning goal in NEC Championship match against Sacred Heart (11/11).

2006: The NEC Player and Rookie of the Year... Started all 20 matches for the Hawks... Led the team and the league in scoring with 36 points, on 13 goals and 10 assists... Ranked 15th in the NCAA in points per game (1.8), 19th in assists per game (0.5) and 27th in goals per game (0.65)... Netted eight game-winning goals... Tallied four points on a goal and two assists in collegiate debut versus Albany (8/27)... Recorded a goal and an assist in Monmouth’s 2-1 win over Seton Hall (9/1)... Notched an assist in win over St. Peter’s (9/10)... Assisted on the game-winner versus Lafayette (9/20)... Posted a goal and an assist in triumph over Temple (9/24)... Notched the game-winner and two assists in a 4-0 win over FDU (9/29)... Registered an assist in win over Sacred Heart (10/1)... Scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, at CCSU (10/8)... Scored the game-winning goal against Robert Morris (10/13)... Inked a goal and assist in victory over St. Francis [Pa.] (10/15)... Netted the game-winning, unassisted goal at Mount St. Mary’s (10/22)... Scored twice at Wagner (10/29)... Scored both of Monmouth’s goals in its 2-1 NEC semifinal win over CCSU (11/3).

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-sport standout at Ocean Township H.S... Four-year letterwinner in soccer as a striker and midfielder... Four-year letterwinner in track and earned three letters in indoor track... Squad won Central Jersey Group III title in 2005 and advanced to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals... Named first-team All-Shore and all-county as a senior... Earned third-team all-state recognition... Registered 48 goals and 41 assists in her final three seasons on the pitch, including 18 goals and 16 helpers as a senior.

PERSONAL: Majoring in special education, secondary education/Spanish... Daughter of Ismael and Cecilia Lopez... Born October 4, 1988, in Oakhurst, N.J.

“We are focused on building upon the success we had during the 2011 season, and that is why we wanted to lock up this partnership for another year,” Wildcats President Kevin McDermott stated. “We want our organization to be successful in all components of soccer and game operations, and we have been very satisfied with what Resolution Sports has been bringing to the table. Next year marks our fourth season together, and we hope to continue this relationship for many years beyond that.”

Resolution Sports was founded in 2008 by its President John Archibald after the concept of establishing a communication-based sports company came into his head on a train ride home from working one evening in Newark, New Jersey. The foundation of Resolution Sports was created that very night, and Resolution Sports LLC was fully licensed and operational within a matter of three weeks. Within its first year, Resolution Sports developed a national presence that originated in the Northeast but stretched as far west as California all the way to the southern tip of Florida. The company offers a variety of communications and social media work for its arsenal of partners, in addition to now having a second wing of the company that covers a variety of sports from a journalistic perspective.

“I am very pleased to see our partnership with the New Jersey Wildcats extending into a fourth year,” Archibald remarked. “Both on and off the field, the organization has been making many positive strides over the past three years under the guidance of USP Soccer, President Kevin McDermott and the entire Wildcats staff. It is always a pleasure to share a press box with ‘Jungle’ Jim Gooley as well, so I am definitely looking forward to next summer.”

For more information on Resolution Sports, visit its official website at www.ResSports.com. The company can also be found on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the USL W-League in 1996 and have competed every year since. The team 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. After the completion of the 2008 season, USP Soccer headlined a new ownership regime for the Wildcats, and the team has received postseason bids each year since then while also improving its overall record every season. This past summer, the Wildcats compiled a 6-1-3 regular season record and finished second in the highly competitive Northeast Division of the USL W-League. The team then advanced to the playoffs, where it was barely edged by the eventual league champion Atlanta Silverbacks by a count of 3-2.

Tiffani Turpin struck first for the Silverbacks in the 12th minute. Six minutes later, Wildcats midfielder Andrea Lopez blasted the ball into the back of Atlanta’s net, unassisted. Jamie Pollack put Atlanta up 2-1 in the 42nd minute as she scored 15 yards out. The Wildcats continued to fight as Jessica Fuccello headed the ball in the net off of a serve from Kylee Rossi. Megan Tomlinson had the game winner in the 71st minute off a free kick from Bailey Powell. Wildcats Keeper Caroline Williams made many crucial saves through out the match.

The loss ended the Wildcats season, leaving them with a record of 6-2-3. This is the Wildcats second consecutive year in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

On behalf of the Wildcats staff, we would like to congratulate all of the Wildcats players on a hard fought game and successful season. We would also like to thank all of our fans for their endless support!

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Be sure to follow the Wildcats on thier Twitter page: NJWildcats96. You can receive daily updates! You can also support your NJ Wildcats by checking out their Facebook page: NJ Wildcats Womens Soccer Team.

Both teams are not only undefeated, but are also tied for first in the Northeast Division, with 10 points each thus far.

The Wildcats have had a strong showing all season and are currently coming off a 0-0 tie in their last match against the North Jersey Valkyries. The Rough Riders are coming off a 2-0 win against D.C. United. Be sure to follow the Wildcats on Twitter  (NJWildcats96) for in game updates during this crucial match! Lets go Wildcats!

The Wildcats had two goalkeepers combine for the shutout, the second blank slate of the season for the team, with Caroline Williams and Emmy Simpkins keeping the Valkyries out of the net. Williams had three saves in the first half of this game, while Simpkins added another one to the stat sheet during the second half of play.

Williams was tested early in this affair, with North Jersey forward Danielle Schulmann showing some crafty footwork to create space on the left side of the frame. As soon as she saw her opening, Schulmann fired a hard shot towards the goal, but Williams was there to make a brilliant diving save of the attempt. Another shot was then nearly put on frame before the ball was cleared, but it sailed wide of the goal.

Throughout the opening half, the Valkyries looked to time runs by setting up forwards with long ball distributions, but the back line of the Wildcats did a nice job of recovering when those plays were attempted. New Jersey also did a nice job of creating on the other end of the field, with midfielders Kylee Rossi, Rachel Breton and Angela DeSumma finding some creases to send a few dangerous balls forward.

The second half of this game saw similar tactics from each side, but both defenses and goalkeepers put forth the same amount of effort that was on display in the first 45 minutes of the contest. Simpkins was very solid in net for the Wildcats once she was inserted into the lineup at halftime, and she was able to do her part in providing her club with the shutout. The entire Wildcats side continued to fight until the final whistle was blown, but the team would have to settle for one point when everything was said and done.

The Wildcats return to action next Thursday, June 23rd, when it travels to Long Island to play a road affair with the Rough Riders. The team then plays its next home contest on Sunday, June 26th, when it hosts the New Jersey Rangers at Saint John Vianney High School at 1:00 p.m.

With a bit of a shaky start the ’Cats found thier rythum at the 38 minute mark with former Scottish National Pool player, Erika Duncan, hitting the back of the net with a nicely placed finish!

Angela DeSumma, a top WPS prospect, followed shortly after with a very composed finish under the net minder for the Rangers.

’Cats extend thier winning streak to 3 and now have the best record in the entire W-League.

Go ’Cats!

The Valkyries got on the scoreboard first with a late first half goal. However, the Wildcats had a strong second half and were able to beat the division rival.

The Wildcats first got on the scoreboard off of a penalty shot by co captain Kylee Rossi. The game winning goal came a few minutes later off of the head of forward Erika Duncan. Danae O'Halloran recorded the assist.

The 'cats will be back in action Thursday as they enter the Eastern Conference Playoffs! LETS GO WILDCATS!

Rossi caused fits for DC United throughout the entire run of play, with that late tally being the highlight of a very entertaining game. On the scoring play, defender Rachel Breton came up the right flank with the ball at her feet before sending it to space in the center of the field. There awaiting the distribution was midfielder Andrea Lopez, who quickly turned and fed it left to a streaking Rossi. The former Tennessee standout then raced onto the pass and quickly settled before firing a shot towards the frame. DC United goalkeeper Didi Haracic did all she could to get a touch on the attempt, but the velocity of the shot was too much to handle. While it was the lone notch of the match, it would be enough for the 1-0 win and ensuing three points on the table, with Wildcats netminder Caroline Williams and the New Jersey back line battling to record the shutout.

On the pitch, the action was a seesaw affair during its 90 minutes, with a fast-paced style of offense occurring on both ends of the field. The intensity of play matched the run-and-gun flow of the game, and both sides exerted every bit of energy that they had. On the stat sheet, the Wildcats held a 10-6 shot advantage, and Williams registered three saves on the evening. Rossi and midfielder Angela Desumma both attempted three shots each to lead the New Jersey club, with the final delivery from Rossi being the difference in the match.

Next up for the Wildcats is a road pairing with the New Jersey Rangers on Thursday, June 2nd, at Morris Catholic High School. The team will return home on Thursday, June 16th, when it hosts the North Jersey Valkyries at the College of New Jersey, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m.

The Wildcats wasted little time in getting onto the scoreboard in this match, first striking in just the third minute of action. After earning a third corner kick in the opening minutes, midfielder Angela Desumma stepped over the ball and struck it into play. There awaiting the distribution in front of the frame was fellow midfielder Taylor Reinecke, who was able to fire a shot into the back of the net to give the host side an early 1-0 advantage.

The count was nearly leveled in the 16th minute when Magic midfielder Toni Smith found an opening and headed upfield on a breakaway. After New Jersey netminder Caroline Williams came off her line to approach the oncoming attack, Smith side-stepped her and fired a right footed strike towards the open goal. As the ball started to roll towards the end line, Wildcats defender Cristina Barthel was able to close the gap on the attempt and saved the sure notch by clearing it from danger.

With the 1-0 tally holding until halftime, New Jersey was able to stretch the gap to 2-0 in the 63rd minute of play. Midfielder Rachel Breton received a feed on the right flank and began to drive towards the goal until dishing the ball back out to Desumma on the right wing. The Marshall University product then one-touched a hard pass to the front of the frame where forward Erika Duncan was able to slide onto the distribution and bury it into the back of the net. With less than 30 minutes left on the clock, the Wildcats were enjoying a two-goal lead.

The final score of the match for the home team came in the 83rd minute on a play that started at the feet of former Tennessee Lady Vol Kylee Rossi. With the ball on the right flank, the crafty midfielder found some space and served a cross to the center of the field. Striker Jessica Fuccello was there to receive the feed, perfectly timing a header that increased the gap to 3-0.

With the final whistle pending, New York did get itself on the board in the 93rd minute. In what was her seventh shot of the evening, speedy Magic forward Rashidah Sherman struck a ball from 30 yards out that sailed just above the out-stretched arms of New Jersey goalkeeper Emma Simpkins, who checked in for the Wildcats at the half.

Next up for New Jersey is a home game on Wednesday evening, with the team hosting divisional foe DC United at 7:00 p.m. at the College of New Jersey Lions Stadium. Tickets for that game can be purchased at the gate on Wednesday, with Wildcats merchandise also being on sale during the match.

Wildcats 5-1-3 with 17 pts and have clinched a playoff spot despite this weekends defeat.

Wildcats still have one regular season game to go vs the NJ Valkyries next Sat away.

Go Wildcats!

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