New Jersey Wildcats News Release - www.njwildcats.com
Friday, May 17, 2013
LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The New Jersey Wildcats continue to build a talented roster as the team prepares for its 2013 W-League season opener Wednesday night at The College of New Jersey, hosting the New Jersey Valkyries at 7:45 p.m. The Wildcats made official on Thursday the addition of playmaking striker Daija Griffin, a Piscataway native who is headed to play for the University of South Carolina this fall.
"We look for Daija to add great pace and playmaking ability to our offense this season," Wildcats head coach Kevin McDermott said. "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 No. 10 player in the state by TopDrawerSoccer.com. 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 McDermott and the NJ Wildcats Lady Strikers-ASL side to the 2013 US Club State Championship this past weekend.
Griffin will join the Wildcats Wednesday night for the opener at Lions Stadium at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. 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 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.