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.

Long Branch, N.J. (January 1, 2012) - The New Jersey Wildcats announce today that they will be hosting their annual New Jersey Wildcats Youth Soccer Tournament Spring Kickoff Invitational presented by Ray Catena.  The tournament will be held at Manahassett Creek Park in Long Branch, NJ and a few other quality sites on 3/3-3/4, 2012.

New Jersey (Tuesday, January 16, 2012) - The New Jersey Wildcats announced today that FDU four-year letter winner and current Coach Operations Manager for the New York Red Bulls will rejoin the Wildcats for the 2012 season.

As a freshman at FDU, she was the only first-year player to start all 18 games, picking up Brine Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors along the way. In her senior season, she shifted up front after playing three seasons on the back line and the midfield, en route to another Brine NEC Player of the Week distinction. In her senior season, she paced the squad with a team-best eight goals (17 points), receiving First Team All-Conference acclaim. Upon graduation from FDU, she became Full-Time Assistant Coach for the Lady Knights for five seasons. Currently, she is the Coach Operations Manager for the New York Red Bulls Training Programs and holds her Advanced National Coaching Certification.

“She will be very important to our team on and off the field. Her leadership abilities will take our team to the next level, and we are pleased to have her with us again in 2012 as we begin our push for the W-League Championship," Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott commented.

“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 2012," stated Head Coach Kevin McDermott, "It has been this ownership groups goal from day 1 to win the W-League Championship and Rache 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."

Long Branch, N.J. (Wednesday, January 4, 2012) – The New Jersey Wildcats formally announced today a key acquisition for their upcoming USL W-League campaign, which is slated to kick off this May. The team is pleased to proclaim that Portuguese National Team player Lissette Brandao has officially declared her intentions of patrolling the field for the Wildcats this season and being one of the teams tri-captains.

"By the way the team is coming together, we look to be a serious contender for the W-League Championship this season 2012,” Brandao stated. “We were a small notch away from coming away with a win against Atlanta last season in the playoffs (the eventual W-League Champions, Wildcats lost 2-3) and the personel that NJ Wildcats has signed to date looks to put us in a position to get to the Final 4 this year!"

"Lissette is a great leader that leads by example of hard work, committment, and dedication to the team and the program.  That is why I named her as our third captain for the 2012 season.  I wasn’t sure if Lissette was going to be playing abroad in 2012 but she made it clear that when she plays abroad she will be back for Wildcats in the summer of 2012 which I am extremely excited about and happy to have a major piece of the puzzle back in 2012 as we strive for the W-League Championship!" stated NJ Wildcats Head Coach Kevin McDermott.

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.

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.

“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!

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!

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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The Magic opened up the scoring in the 56th minute with a shot that was just over the out stretched arm of Wildcats keeper Caroline Williams. The Wildcats earned their first goal off of a penalty kick from Rachel Breton. The ’cats followed up in the 87th minute with a goal from Erika Duncan off of a serve into the box from her Marshall University teammate Angela DeSumma.

Not only are the ’cats still unbeaten, but the win broke the first place tie in the Northeast Division between the Wildcats and the Long Island Rough Riders. New Jersey now leads the division with a record of 5-0-3 and 17 points. Long Island is in second with a record of 4-1-2 and 14 points.

The team continues on their playoff quest this Sunday as they host the Long Island Rough Riders at St. John Vianney High School. Be sure to order your tickets today! LETS GO WILDCATS!

Holmdel, N.J. (Sunday, June 26, 2011) – The New Jersey Wildcats (4-0-3, 14 points) remained on its hot streak to start the 2011 W-League season, defeating the New Jersey Rangers (0-5-1) by a count of 3-0 at Saint John Vianney High School on Sunday afternoon. Now unbeaten in seven matches, the Wildcats currently sit atop the Northeast Division Standings alongside the Long Island Rough Riders (4-0-2, 14 points).

The host Wildcats wasted little time in this match-up, collecting its first goal in just the third minute of the contest. On that scoring play, midfielder Esmeralda Negron received the ball in the center of the field before finding a streaking Erika Duncan on the right flank. After Negron fed her the ball, Duncan ran onto a 1v1 situation with Ranger goalkeeper Nicole Berner and quickly fired a strike into the far netting of the goal, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage in the early going.

The Wildcats continued to control the pace over the first half of play, with the best opportunities for the road club being created by the speed of striker Maya Hayes. However, Wildcats netminder Caroline Williams and the back line in front of her kept the slate clean and still held that 1-0 edge when the whistle was blown for halftime.

Some key substitutions were made for the Wildcats in the second half, with goalkeeper Emma Simpkins taking over in net for Williams. The duo has spilt the 90 minutes throughout the season to some well found success, and head coach Kevin McDermott decided to stick with that tactical decision in this game. A second replacement that yielded some quick results came in the 53rd minute, when midfielder Danae O’Halloran stepped onto the pitch. In just the second minute of her shift, she received distribution on the right flank and immediately raced down an open lane in front of her. When she saw an opening, O’Halloran crossed the ball to the far side of the frame where forward Jess Fuccello placed it into the back of the net.

The final tally of this match came in stoppage time, with O’Halloran again collecting the assist. With the ball at her feet, she found Duncan speeding to the front of the frame, and the Marshall University product struck the ball for her second goal of the afternoon, hanging the final 3-0 count in favor of the Wildcats.

Next up for the Wildcats is a Saturday pairing with the New York Magic, and the team will play its final home contest of the regular season on Sunday, July 10th, when it hosts the Rough Riders at Saint John Vianney High School. Kickoff for that match is slated for 1:00 p.m.

Long Island controlled the ball well in the first 15 minutes of the game, but solid performances by the Wildcats backline and Goalkeeper, Caroline Williams, made it difficult for them to find the net. However, Long Island forward Sade Ayinde broke away with a one on one with Williams, but Williams deflected the ball wide giving the Rough Riders a corner. Not too long after, Long Island was granted their chance when midfielder Kaila Sciascia slipped one passed Wildcats Goalkeeper, Caroline Williams, putting the Wildcats down 1-0 for the majority of the first half. 

After a tough battle through the remainder of the first half, a brilliant build up lead by Wildcat midfielder and captain, Angela DeSumma, gave chance for the Wildcats to put one in the back of the net! With a beautiful run by DeSumma down the right flank of the field, and after shedding off several Rough Rider defenders, she was able to cross a perfect ball to the feet of Wildcat Captain Kylee Rossi, who came over top the ball, striking it right past Rough Rider Goalkeeper Kristin Russell. This led the Wildcats and Rough Riders into halftime with a 1-1 tie. 

Second half substitution put Goalkeeper Emmy Simpkins in for Caroline Williams. And again, with solid performances by the backline lead by Marta Lynch and Cristina Barthel, the Rough Riders were unable to find the back of the net. Simpkins had to come off her line several times to clear the ball with her feet away from Rough Rider forwards and back into Long Island territory. 

Despite the tie, a tough battle was fought on both sides of the field. And for those of you who missed the exciting action, come out Saturday July 2nd to watch the Wildcats take on the Rough Riders yet again! 

Wildcats return home this Sunday at 1pm at Saint John Vianney High School to take on in state rivals, the New Jersey Rangers!

Twitter is a great way to follow the team if you are unable to make any games or if you are going to be a tad bit late and want to know what is going on while you are not there! 

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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.

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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!

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.

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With this win the Wildcats earned a post season berth into the playoffs which will be next weekend in Atlanta, July 23rd & 24th, hosted by the Atlanta Silverbacks.  The Eastern Conference playoffs will showcase the Washington Freedom playing the Charlotte Lady Eagles and the New Jersey Wildcats playing against the Atlanta Silverbacks.  Hudson Valley Quickstrike (11-1-0), the Northeast Division Champions and currently the # 1 ranked team in the nation, earned an automatic bid to the Final Four by winning the overall W-League Regular Season Championship.  Three other teams will join Hudson Valley Quickstrike in Santa Clarita, California out of 10 playoff teams.  The winner of the Eastern Conference playoffs, winner of the Western Conference playoffs, and the winner of the Central Conference playoffs will fill out the remaining three slots in the W-League Final Four.

Go Cats!

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West Windsor, N.J. (Sunday, November 29, 2009) – In preparation for their upcoming season opener, the New Jersey Wildcats announced today the addition of former Monmouth University standout Amy Hoyer.  The 2007 NEC Women’s Player of the Year will be a welcome addition to a Wildcat roster that is already boasting an impressive lineup.

"Amy is a tremendous midfielder that can play in the middle and outside,” Wildcats Head Coach Kevin McDermott stated.  “She plays so smart and simple.  Her ability to distribute the ball, find our strikers and other midfielders in the attack, and get them behind our opponents defense is second to none.  We are very excited to have Amy back and part of our 2010 roster."

May 2010
WL	Thu	May 27	7:30 PM ET	Washington	at	New Jersey	The College of New Jersey Lions Stadium
June 2010
WL	Sun	Jun 6	1:00 PM ET	Long Island	at	New Jersey	Saint John Vianney High School
WL	Thu	Jun 10	8:00 PM ET	New Jersey	at	North Jersey	DePaul Catholic High School
WL	Thu	Jun 17	7:30 PM ET	Hudson Valley	at	New Jersey	The College of New Jersey Lions Stadium
WL	Thu	Jun 24	7:30 PM ET	NJ Rangers	at	New Jersey	The College of New Jersey Lions Stadium
WL	Sun	Jun 27	1:00 PM ET	New York	at	New Jersey	The College of New Jersey Soccer Complex
July 2010
WL	Thu	Jul 1	7:30 PM ET	New Jersey	at	NJ Rangers	Morris Catholic High School
WL	Wed	Jul 7	7:30 PM ET	New Jersey	at	Hudson Valley	Newburgh Free Academy HS
WL	Thu	Jul 8	7:30 PM ET	North Jersey	at	New Jersey	Saint John Vianney High School
WL	Sat	Jul 10	1:00 PM ET	New Jersey	at	Washington	Maryland Soccer Plex
WL	Wed	Jul 14	6:00 PM ET	New Jersey	at	Long Island	Cy Donnelly Stadium
WL	Sun	Jul 18	4:00 PM ET	New Jersey	at	New York	Somers High School

Friday, August 7, 2009

BOYDS, MD -- Just days away from the US-Mexico World Cup qualifier, it was a Mexican international that proved the star of the W-League Championship Friday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex as the 2008 champion Pali Blues repeated. The California club came from behind for a 2-1 win a second straight year, downing the 2007 title winner Washington Freedom on their home field on a goal and assist from Iris Mora.

The hosts took the initial lead in the contest in the 14th minute of play from a restart. Washington’s Katherine Watson turned with the ball 30 yards from goal and was headed straight in on goal before being dragged down by Pali defender Kendal Billingsley, who received a yellow card. France’s Sandra Matute nailed a precise free kick just inside the right post from 24 yards to give the Freedom the early lead.

Billingsley made up for the error in the 37th minute on a second consecutive corner from Iris Mora. As the corner came down to the tall defender in the center of the area, she sent a perfect eight yard header into the back of the net to level the game heading to the break.

Aside from the corner on the equalizer, Mora had been relatively quiet throughout the rest of the match after an early chance as Washington kept the clamp on the Freedom’s key striker, who had tallied in five of their last six contests, including the playoffs. But in the 86th minute, she found some space all alone in the box. The mistake proved costly for Washington as Kirsty Yallap sent a cross in from the right flank, connecting with Mora, who chested the ball down, turned and fired past Eliza Bennett-Hatton from 14 yards for the winner.

The goal and assist on the night earned the Mexican star the W-League Champion Most Valuable Player honor as she helped lead the club to its second straight title, becoming the third club in league history to claim back-to-back championships (Raleigh Wings 1998-99 and Boston Renegades 2001-02) and the fifth to win two league titles (Long Island Lady Riders 1995, 97 and Vancouver Whitecaps 2004, 06). It is the third title for head coach Charlie Naimo, who also led the New Jersey Wildcats to the championship in 2005. 

“It feels so good to have two undefeated seasons, and I am so happy for our girls,” Pali head Charlie Naimo commented after taking his third crown as a coach in four championship appearances. “It’s such a fantastic feeling, and you couldn’t ask for anymore effort than what has been given by this team all year.”

The second consecutive unbeaten championship season, however, was a first in league history. Although the Blues are among three clubs to post two consecutive unbeaten campaigns in the regular season (Chicago Cobras 1999-00 and FC Indiana Lionesses 2008-09), they are the only club to win the league crown both times. Chicago lost in penalties in the 1999 championship before winning from the spot the following year. Finalists a year ago, FC Indiana were knocked out in the conference final this year.

A quick-paced, back-and-forth contest in the early going, a goalkeeping error nearly gave the Freedom the lead in the first minute of play when a lofted ball into the area slipped through the outstretched hands of Pali goalkeeper Joslyn Slovek. The ball dropped to the pitch and a half clearance gave the Freedom a chance on an open goal, but the strike from Jen Parsons went off the crossbar, down and deflected away off the head of the defender standing on the line.

Three minutes later at the other end a through ball right up the middle had Mora on a break, but her first touch around the charging keeper 30 yards from goal was a bit too much as she was unable to recover and the defense was able to shut down the attack.

A fifth minute strike from Jesstine Wolfe went just over the bar from 21 yards out for Washington with Mora getting behind the defense on the other end three minutes later on a cross, but her header flew wide of the target.

With Washington leading after Matute’s excellent free kick, Pali was looking for an equalizer. Just before the 30th minute Rebekah Patrick put a shot over the bar from just inside the box.

Seven minutes later, Billingsley put away the equalizer, however, Washington nearly re-claimed the lead as a missed keeper punch at a corner led to 20 yard attempt from Madison Keller that narrowly missed the opposite upper corner of the goal.

Bennett-Hatton made a huge save at the close of the 56th minute when Pali’s Sabrina DeMonte sent a cross into the area. Yallop dove to get her head on the ball eight yards from goal, but the keeper made a fantastic point blank reaction save to keep it out of the Washington net.

But the heroics were not enough as Mora used her experience to calmly knock the cross down and coolly slot it home for the victory four minutes from time.

“We just did what we had to do, which was to score a goal,” said Mora. “I missed a couple of goals at the beginning. I knew for this game it would be really tight. I just needed to settle, first touch I just thought about one-two. And I saw the ball coming to me, I settled myself, and it was just one-two. That is how it has to be.”

Her performance was expected from coach Naimo.

“No shock, she’s been getting it done all season,” the Blues coach said. “Last week a goal and two assists in the semifinal. Always found a way to get a point in every single game and it’s no surprise to me. Iris was the one that I envisioned pulling us through this one and she did.”

Naimo, who also serves as general manager for the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer, also went on to discuss how he expects numerous players from this year’s squad to also move onto WPS again this year, but finished saying “We are gonna have to reload for a third run.”

“Hudson Valley is a great team and proved tonight that they are a team worthy of their 5-0 record,” Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott stated. “That being said, I am very proud of the effort that our girls gave tonight. They played with a lot of energy and heart, and we will definitely be ready for our second match with Hudson Valley later this season.”

After starting tonight’s match in a 4-3-3 formation, McDermott moved one of his forwards back to put the Wildcats into a 4-4-2. The move proved to be the correct decision as his team quickly adjusted and began to play with a higher level of intensity.

“We started just a little bit slow in the beginning tonight, so we decided to switch our formation in a 4-4-2 to counter attack Hudson Valley’s efforts,” McDermott continued. “As the game continued, we gained more confidence and creativity, and we certainly developed our fair share of chances off that momentum.”

The Wildcats made the change following a first half goal by Quickstrike midfielder Gabriel Demoner in the 24th minute. Demoner received a feed in the center arc and immediately turned her body upfield with the ball at her feet. After cutting through the New Jersey defense, she found her opening and delivered a powerful attempt towards her target. The shot would sail just beyond the reach of Wildcat goalkeeper Caroline Williams to give her team a 1-0 advantage, and that tally would stand all the way until these two sides broke for intermission.

Hudson Valley would again strike in the 47th minute when forward Jackie Acevedo cleaned up a ball from defender Kristen Edmonds to gain a 2-0 edge, and the remainder of this contest became a highly contested duel. New Jersey created a handful of great chances, but luck was clearly not on the side of the home team. Wildcat forward Kylee Rossi put a screamer off the crossbar in the 66th minute, and the New Jersey attack saw additional attempts go just wide of the frame.

Not for a minute tonight did the Wildcats back down from its opponent tonight, and the team clearly has a strong foundation to take into the next match with Quickstrike on Wednesday, July 7th.

Next up for the Wildcats is a home contest on Thursday, June 24th, against the New Jersey Rangers (3-3-0, 9 points). Soccer fans throughout the Garden State are encouraged to come check out this new inner-state rivalry, and tickets for that game are available today by calling (732) 963-9769.

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced today the first 30 players who have accepted invitations to the 2009 USL W-League Combine, being held Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27 at Ed Radice Sports Complex in Northwest Tampa, Florida.

Highlighting the list of players is midfielder Jesstine Wolfe and forwards Kate Watson and Brittany Tegeler of the Washington Freedom’s starting 11 from their recent appearance in the W-League finals. The Freedom lost a tight, 2-1 decision to the Pali Blues on Friday, August 7 in Boyds, Maryland.

Watson, a key member of the Freedom’s 2006 Super-20 League Championship side, is one of the first players to advance through the USL youth system and play in the W-League before setting her sights on a professional career by attending the USL W-League Combine.

The league also accepted applications from four members of the W-League Regular Season Champion, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues. The Blues compiled a 12-0-2 record in just their first year of W-League competition. Quickstrike players attending the combine include W-League Defender of the Year nominee, Ashleigh Gunning and teammates Katie Kelly, Erica Stewart and Ashley Thompson. Gunning was also named member of the W-League Team of the Week on Wednesday, May 20.

Chicago defender Jenney Jeffers accepted an invitation to the combine after playing 12 matches with the Red 11 this season. She netted one goal in over 1,000 minutes in defense of Chicago’s goal. The Red 11 ranked third in team defense in the W-League this season. They allowed just six goals against in 12 regular season games. Jeffers was named to the W-League Team of the Week on Wednesday, July 8.

Another defender attending the combine is Philisha Lewis of the Tampa Bay Hellenic. Lewis was named to the W-League Team of the Week on Wednesday, July 15 after playing three complete games in week 11. During her 270 minutes on the pitch that week, Lewis and her Hellenic teammates allowed a single goal against while qualifying for the W-League playoffs for the first time in the club’s two-year history.

New Jersey Wildcats goalkeeper, Robyn Jones completes this round of W-League Combine participants who were named to W-League Team of the Week. Jones was an Honorable Mention on Wednesday, July 1 after making five saves against the Long Island Rough Riders in a 3-0 shutout victory. Jones finished the season with a 5-7-1 record, appearing in 13 games with a goals against average of 1.791. 

Player		Club	Position
Sasha	Andrews	FC Indiana	Defender
Josée	Bélanger	Quebec City Amiral	Forward
Ashley	Braam	Tampa Bay Hellenic	Forward
Lissette	Brandao	New Jersey Wildcats	Midfield/Forward
Kimberly	Brandao	Buffalo Flash
Sarah	Campbell	Colorado Force	Midfield
Kristin	Eggert	Chicago Red Eleven	GK
Christie	Ehrhardt	Chicago Red Eleven	Midfield
Kellyn	Farrell	Real Cougars	Forward
Ashleigh	Gunning	Hudson Valley Quickstrike	Defender/Midfield
Jennifer	Hance	Ottawa Fury	Midfield/Forward
Kelsey	Hood	Minnesota Lightning	Midfield
Jenny	Jeffers	Chicago Red Eleven	Defender
Anabel	Jimenez	Chicago Red Eleven	Midfield
Brooke	Johns	Western Mass	Defender
Robyn	Jones	New Jersey Wildcats	GK
Kelly	Katie	Hudson Valley Quickstrike	Defender/Midfield
Vanessa	Mais	Real Colorado Cougars	Midfield
Marie-Eve	Nault	Chicago Red Eleven	Defender
Jasmine	Phillips	Ottawa Fury	GK
Erica	Prada	FC Indiana	Forward
Sari	Raber	Ottawa Fury	Midfield
Erica	Stewart	Hudston Valley Quickstrike	Midfield
Brittany	Tegeler	Washington Freedom	Forward
Allison	Tenney	Seattle Sounders	Defender
Ashley	Thompson	Hudson Valley Quickstrike	GK
Alicia	Tirelli	Hudson Valley Quickstrike	Midfield/Forward
Kate	Watson	Washington Freedom	Forward
Jesstine	Wolfe	Washington Freedom	Midfield
Philisha	Lewis	Tampa Bay Hellenic	Defender

Monday, July 27, 2009

TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the schedule for the 2009 W-League Semifinals, which will be hosted in two locations for the first time in league history.

The regular season champion Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues will play host to the defending champion Pali Blues Friday July 31 at Academy Field in Newburgh, NY. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm ET.

The following night, August 1, the Washington Freedom will play host to the Ottawa Fury at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Kick off is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET.

For the first time in league history, the W-League title will be decided in a single-game event the following weekend when the two semifinal winners meet Friday, August 7 at 7:30 pm ET. The match will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The W-League championship was originally decided via a six-team tournament in its first three seasons from 1995-1997 and was a four-team event from 1998 through last year.

I would like to thank a lot of people for helping the NJ Wildcats have a very successful first year under USP Soccer’s leadership.  7-6-1 in the Eastern Conference, Northeast Division was a huge success!

A) First, I would like to Thank Jim Gooley for all his help.  We would not have been able to do this without all of his expertise with sponsors, consulting, game day operations, and many more things I do not have time to list.

B) I would like to Thank our sponsors Ivy Rehab, Giglio Builders, City Streets, SoccerPost.com, and Ariel Designs.  We could not have run the team without your support!  You guys did a great thing for these women, the kids that look up to them, and soccer in NJ.  Thank you!

C) I would like to Thank John Archibald for his Media support.  Great job John and Resolution Sports!

D) I would like to Thank Mike DeFelice for donating his time and energy to the team this year.  We should have paid him thousands of dollars for the work he did but unfortunatly we have a limited budget.  Out of the goodness of his heart, he helped us out and I thank him for that.

E) I would like to Thank Homere Breton and Lillian Breton for all of their work with the U23 team and also their help with the W-league team as well, Lillian behind the scenes, and Homere, his help coaching.

F) I would like to Thank WWP SA and especially Robin Dean and Stacey Mangone.  Your support was instrumental.

G) I would like to Thank Erin our trainer for helping us all year and her assistant for doing a great job.  They deserved double the amount we paid them but again we only have so many funds to go around.  I thank you, you guys are the best.  I highly recommend you to any organization that is looking for a trainer.

H) I would like to Thank the many volunteers that helped run the team this year Mike Faith, Kathy Faith, the USP SA - Freehold Wildcats, Brett Sliwka, Donna Sliwka, thier daughter Carley and Ali Hoyt (who both helped us with their talents on the field with pre-games and U10/U11 select)

I) I would like to Thank The Graeme Preston Foundation for supporting us and allowing us to run a fundraiser for the foundation.  That game was awesome!

J) Sam Areman deserves a tremendous amount of credit for all of the work she did for the team behind the scenes, her help running the team, and putting up with me dealing with all of the pressures of running a team at this level.  The team would not have been nearly as successful without your help.

K) I would like to Thank Dave Barbour for coaching the team!  Nice work.  Thank you very much.

L) I would like to Thank the players for their hard work and commitment to the team all year from November tryouts to the end of the season, August 19th.  You made a lot of sacrifices to make our team successful.

M) I would like to Thank Vince Baldino for his support all year and for his donation to the team.  You were always willing to help us as needed.  Thanks.

N) I would like to Thank my wife, Jen, for running the ticket booth, cleaning the uniforms, and supporting me all season.  Thank you!

O) I would like to thank the fans that came out to see these wonderful athletes and people showcase their talents all season long.  Tell your friends and family about us and come back next year!  The growth of womens soccer in our country depends on you!  The $10 you spend to come watch our team play goes a long way in growing the sport in our country and in our state!  Our team provides role models for your daughters to look up to and aspire to be like.  Attending our games and paying for your $10 ticket helps the sport progress and move forward.  Thank you for your support all season and we will see you next year!

P) Thank you to anyone I missed.  It was a team effort to make the team a success in 2009.  I invite others that want to make the NJ Wildcats even more successful in 2010 to get on board and help us.  Just send an email to NJWildcats1996@aol.com and let us know you want to get involved.  We need more volunteers to get to the next level!  Again thanks to all!

Sincerely,

Kevin T. McDermott

USP Soccer President

West Windsor, N.J. (Wednesday, June 3, 2009) – The New Jersey Wildcats are pleased to announce today that they are partnering with Giglio Builders, who have formally become the official building partner of the Wildcats and USP Soccer family. Based out of Rumson, Giglio Builders has long established itself as a builder of detail-oriented and luxurious homes throughout the region.

"Giglio Builders are amazing, and the estates they build are unbelievable!” Wildcats President Kevin McDermott exclaimed. “Jack Giglio, the President of Giglio Builders, personally tends to every detail from start to finish with these homes, and the final product is just jaw dropping.”

Giglio Builders has been in business for over 25 years, and the company has deservedly obtained a reputation of being very articulate in home development. Jack Giglio places a hand and watchful eye in every step of the building process, ensuring that each home is built to the exact image of the family that will soon after occupy the residence. Each home that is built by Giglio Builders is known for its luxurious look and grand building schematics.

In addition to their work as home developers, Giglio Builders are also longtime supporters of the game of soccer, and they have lent a reliable hand in its growth within the region over the years.

"On behalf of the entire New Jersey Wildcats and USP Soccer Family, we would like to thank Giglio Builders for their support this season,” McDermott continued. “We have a great team, and many current Wildcat players, current youth soccer players and the entire soccer community are benefiting tremendously with the support of Giglio Builders."

For more information regarding Giglio Builders, they can be reached at 732-890-2066.

After a road contest on Friday night against the Connecticut Passion, the Wildcats are set to make their home debut at Mercer County Community College this Sunday when they host the Boston Renegades for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff. The following Friday, they will host the Western Mass Lady Pioneers at 7:00 p.m. and will attempt to set the New Jersey state juggling record at halftime of that game. For ticket information, fans can call (732) 963-9769, and more information regarding the Wildcats can be found on the web at www.njwildcats.com.