Colorado Rapids Women News Release - www.coloradorapids.com/women
Monday, May 6, 2013
DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids Women have announced the signing of Denver University trio Kristen Hamilton, Jessy Battelli, and Cassidy Larson for the 2013 W-League season.
Hamilton, Battelli, and Larson all played a major role in DU’s success this past season as the Pioneers made it to the NCAA round of 16. Rapids head coach Daniel Clitnovici was thrilled to add these three talented players to the squad.
"I'm excited to have these DU players in the squad because they played an integral role in Denver University’s success in 2012 and now I'm excited to see them play a role at a higher level in playing for the Colorado Rapids Women," Clitnovici said.
Hamilton, a junior, has registered 37 goals and 24 assists during her three seasons at DU including a team-leading 14 goals during the 2012 season. She was named WAC Player of the Year in 2012.
Clitnovici expressed his excitement about Hamilton joining the Rapids' strike force.
"Kristen is a powerful forward who will be always looking for a goal," he said. "She gets herself in the right spots at the right time and she is clinical, that’s what it's all about. During her time with DU, she has caused every single team she played against problems at the back. She is a very talented player."
A defender, Battelli anchored DU’s defense during the 2012 season and helped the Pioneers register 10 shutouts. Battelli started all 24 matches and headed in the game-winning goal against Idaho. She finished off the season with a First Team All-WAC selection.
"Jessy is an extremely talented player that will do well for us," Clitnovici said. "She has been someone I've watched for a few seasons now and has just been getting better and better. She is a very classy defender, with exactly the physical, technical and mental attributes that we are looking for here at the Rapids Women. She has such a great mentality and will fit into the squad perfectly."
Larson, a junior, is also a vital part of the Pioneers' defense. She started all 24 matches for Denver and tallied five assists during the 2012 season. She has recorded one goal and 13 assists during her time at Denver University.
"Cassidy is a hard-working defender that loves to get forward and create attacking movements," Clitnovici said. "She is a very strong player and will give us an attacking threat from the back. She will be a player that the fans will love to watch.”
The Rapids Women kick off their season on May 25 with the “Derby” home opener against the Colorado Rush. For more Information about the Colorado Rapids Women please visit their website at: www.coloradorapids.com/women and also, keep an eye on the Colorado Rapids Women’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/corapidswomen.