LA Blues SC News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – LA Blues Soccer Club is excited to announce that the UCLA trio of Abby Dahlkemper, Sarah Killion, and Caprice Dydasco, 2013 NCAA College Cup champions, will return to the club to play their second W-League seasons. The three were critical in the Pali Blues’ run to the 2013 W-League Championship, and hope to repeat the accomplishment for the new LA Blues team.
“I can go on and on about these three,” Blues Manager Charlie Naimo said. “Their ability is obvious, but I respect even more what you cannot see. They each are extremely professional, are great teammates, and dedicate themselves to winning.”
Dahlkemper played all but three games for the Pali Blues in 2013, helping anchor a defense that allowed only 11 goals and helped the team earn eight shutout victories. Toward the end of the season Naimo set Dahlkemper in the midfield where she made major contributions. Her play was exceptional during the W-League final, which the Blues won 1-0 against the Laval Comets.
Following the 2013 W-League Championship, Dahlkemper played an outstanding season at UCLA, helping the Bruins win the College Cup final.
She scored one goal and earned two assists from the center back position during the NCAA season. She helped the Bruins defense allow an average of 0.30 goals, the best in the nation, and set a new school record of 18 shutouts in one season.
After the season, Dahlkemper was honored with numerous awards including NSCAA All-American, Scholar All-America Player of the Year, the Honda Award, and was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, among other accolades.
“What a year Abby had,” Naimo noted. “I do not think there was an NCAA award that she was not a finalist for. That speaks to her production and versatility. Everyone knows she is a great central defender, but it was her contributions in the midfield that helped us win the championship last year in the end. Obviously, she will play a huge part of that again this year.”
“I'm so excited to be returning for the 2014 season,” Dahlkemper said. “I think it will be a great year, and I can't wait to compete for another championship with the Blues.”
Midfielder Killion returns as another instrumental player from the 2013 Pali Blues team. She led the team in assists with eight and scored two goals. Her efforts were enough to be named to the All-Western Conference Team at the end of the regular season.
At UCLA, she scored one goal and assisted on a team-best 14, including one in the semifinals of the College Cup that led to the equalizer which kept the Bruins alive in the race to the College Cup final match.
“Sarah may be even more competitive than me, and that is not easy,” Naimo said. “I love those players that genuinely hate losing, even in training. That is her, and she brings that into every match. She also has a soccer sense second to none and has the ability to escape some difficult situations. We certainly think she will pull strings for us again this year.”
“I am extremely excited to have a chance to play another season with the Blues this summer,” Killion said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to play with such an awesome group of girls and to be around an outstanding coaching staff. It will be another great season and I am looking forward to bringing everything that I can to the team.”
Dydasco is another key player from the 2013 Blues championship team. She earned two assists from the left back position, being a player who likes to get up the flanks and create goal-scoring opportunities. She also impressed with her ability to defend one-on-one.
“Caprice is hands down one of the best 1v1 defenders I have been around, but she also possesses a knack to get forward. She will be a huge part of trying to keep the trophy in LA,” Naimo said.
“I am very excited to be back playing with the Blues in the W-League this summer,” Dydasco said. “Playing in the league will be a great experience and opportunity to play with and against so many talented women throughout the summer. I am very excited for this upcoming season and we will try our best to bring the trophy back to LA again.”