LA Blues News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
LOS ANGELES – The LA Blues are announced that they have signed forward Katie Stengel and goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe for the 2014 W-League season. Both Stengel and Bledsoe recently finished their NCAA careers at Wake Forest, and find the Blues a beneficial option in their preparations to play professionally overseas after the season.
“Our staff is excited to start releasing the players we have brought on board for 2014 and what better players to start with,” Blues Manager Charlie Naimo said.
Stengel, Wake Forest’s most decorated player in program history, is a three-time All-American who holds career records for goals and assists. She ended her career with 50 goals scored and 25 assists for the Demon Deacons.
“I could not be more excited to have Katie for an entire season,” Naimo said. “She spent limited time with us down the stretch last year and made major contributions to the championship run. Many would agree that Katie is the absolute best forward coming out of college this year and the fact that she is playing with the Blues makes us all feel great that we have built a program worthy of her decision.”
As a freshman in 2010, Stengel scored 16 goals and assisted on five others in 24 games. She was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, and was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in addition to other conference, regional, and national honors.
Stengel added 19 goals and eight assists the following year, making her Wake Forest’s first player to be named to the All-American First Team and the ACC Offensive Player of the Year. In 2012, Stengel scored 15 goals and earned nine assists, and added six goals and eight assists in her final season before a season-ending injury.
Stengel has participated in U-16, U-18 and U-23 US Women’s National Team training camps and games, and won the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2012.
“I am honored to be offered a spot back with the Blues this year,” Stengel said. “I enjoyed getting to play with them last year and am looking forward to training and playing this year. It seemed like a no-brainer to stay in beautiful Southern California all summer preparing for our next professional step in our career. I'm looking forward to playing with this great group of girls and coaches.”
Bledsoe, also a three-time All-American, finished her collegiate career at Wake Forest as the most accomplished goalkeeper in program history. She holds the record for career shutouts (33), goals-against average (0.91), and minutes played (8,697). In 2011, she set the school’s single-season shutout record with 14.
“We have a history of great ‘keepers here, and Aubrey will certainly add to that family,” Naimo said. “She is another fantastic battle-tested ACC and U-23 National Team player that plans to make in impact on our team and in the league.”
In addition to three All-American team selections, Bledsoe’s achievements include being named the ACC Tournament MVP in 2010, an All-ACC First Team selection in 2011, All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Tournament selection in 2012, and an All-ACC First Team member in 2013.
Bledsoe has also played with the U-18 and U-23 US Women’s National Teams.
“I'm so excited to have the opportunity to play for the LA Blues this summer,” Bledsoe said. “I'm looking forward to playing with some of the best players in the country. I can't wait to start working with the coaches and be a part of the team's success. This will be the perfect environment to prepare me for playing overseas after the season.
“I'm also blessed to be able to keep playing with Katie Stengel. She's the best forward in the country, so training with her day after day really challenges me. She'll help take the LA Blues to a whole new level of competition.”