Pali Blues News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com
Friday, July 12, 2013
LOS ANGELES – The Pali Blues are pleased to announce the addition of forward Katie Stengel, midfielder Daphne Corboz, and defender Kassey Kallman to the squad. The Blues have faced numerous injuries this season, and Head Coach Charlie Naimo has added a few key players to help with the team’s championship hopes.
Stengel is entering her final collegiate season at Wake Forest this fall with a wealth of awards and other honors to her name. As a freshman, she was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. She finished the season with 16 goals and five assists, setting her school’s single-season scoring record and points record (37).
As a sophomore, Stengel became Wake Forest’s first player to be named the ACC Offensive Player of the year, and was once again a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. She broke her own scoring record from the previous year with 19 goals and eight assists for a total of 46 points.
In 2012, she missed part of the NCAA season while in Japan playing for the US U-20 Women’s National Team. She went on the help Team USA win the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Stengel returned to Wake Forest for 15 games and led her team in scoring with nine goals, and assisted on four others.
“We have struggled to replace Lynn Williams all season,” Naimo said. “Adding Katie at this stage will be a huge help. She is one of the top strikers in college soccer and has played on various national teams with our nucleus. I expect a natural fit.”
Corboz, a midfielder at Georgetown University, will help boost the midfield productivity for the Blues. A member of the U-23 USWNT player pool, Corboz finished the NCAA season fourth in points with 10 goals and one assist.
“Daphne provides creative stability in the midfield, another area where we recently lost an important player,” commented Naimo. “She will make an immediate impact.”
Lastly, Naimo has added depth to the Blues’ backline with the addition of Kallman from Florida State. Another U-20 World Cup champion and current U-23 WNT member, Kallman brings defensive versatility to Pali.
“Kassey brings basically everything to the table. She can play left back or central, which may allow us to push [Abby] Dahlkemper forward. Along with Daphne and Katie, she has also spent time on various national teams with our core group, and has great leadership qualities.”
The Blues’ last chance to make the playoffs will be on Sunday when they host the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. A win is necessary for Pali to finish the regular season on top and host the conference playoff.
“Should we be fortunate enough to make the playoffs, these players will be enormous for our championship hopes,” Naimo said.
Sunday’s match will kick off at 5 p.m. PT at Palisades High School. Tickets are still available at www.bluessoccerclub.com or by calling 310-777-7897.