Colorado Pride News Release - www.pridesoccer.com
Monday, February 24, 2014
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. - The Colorado Pride are pleased to announce the signings of a trio of Colorado Springs locals for their inaugural W-League season. Local products Sarah Schweiss, Kaeli Vandersluis and Jessica Ayers, all of the Colorado College Tigers, have signed with the newly established W-League franchise for 2014.
Colorado College is coming off a successful 2013 season, winning the Conference USA title for the second consecutive year. All three players played integral roles in the success Colorado College achieved in 2013.
Ayers, originally from Seattle, is a familiar face in the W-League having had a successful season with the Colorado Rapids Women in 2013, featuring in all regular season games. As a junior at Colorado College in 2013, Ayers led the team in scoring with 13 goals in 21 games, six of which were game-winners. Ayers has been named an NCAA All-American on three occasions, has been selected for the All-Conference first team on three occasions and was also named Midfielder of the Year in Conference USA for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and an NCAA All-Region selection in 2013.
Pride Head Coach Daniel Clitnovici is happy to add a former player to his squad in 2014.
“Jessie is a talented player that posses an amazing work ethic, it will be a pleasure to be working with her again this season,” Clitnovici said.
Vandersluis joins the Pride as a homegrown product having played her youth soccer with Colorado Pride Predators. Vandersluis had a season to remember in 2013 by adding to Colorado College’s success with nine goals and nine assists from midfield as well as being named 2013 Conference USA Midfielder of the Year.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Kaeli in the past and I know what she is capable of, Clitnovici said. "She is a very good player that will enjoy the W-League level. I’m happy she will be playing with Colorado Pride this season.”
Schweiss is also a homegrown Pride youth product and Colorado College standout. The attacking-minded midfielder started in all 22 games for the Tigers in 2013 contributing seven goals and seven assists. She will look to do the same for the Colorado Pride W-League team in 2014.
“Sarah is a talented player that can change games; she is a great addition to the squad," Clitnovici said. "I’m excited to see her play with Colorado Pride in 2014.”
The Pride will host their final W-League tryout on Saturday, April 19 at Colorado College Turf Soccer Field from 5-7 p.m. The date falls within all NCAA compliance and players are encouraged to attend and register via email to head coach Daniel Clitnovici – dclitnovici@pridesoccer.com. Cost for the tryout is $30 per player and all players will need to register prior to the tryout. Registrations will NOT be accepted on the date of the tryout.
Please stay updated regarding the Colorado Pride W-League team via www.pridesoccer.com and www.facebook.com/pridesoccerclub.