Seattle Sounders Women News Release - www.sounderswomen.com
Friday, March 21, 2014
TUKWILA, Wash – The Seattle Sounders Women have signed Megan Kufeld and Annie Sittauer to return to the Sounders Women for the 2014 W-League campaign. University of Washington stars, goalkeeper Kufeld and defender Sittauer return to the Sounders for their third year in rave green.
Kufeld joins the Sounders Women following a fantastic year at U.W. in which she earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention while also earning UW’s prestigious President’s Medal as the university’s top student in her class. The redshirt-sophomore played nearly every minute for the Huskies last fall, notching eight shutouts and 88 saves.
Kufeld has also represented the United States on the youth national team levels of U-14, U-15, U-17, U-18, U-20 and was called into the U-23 National Team pool last year.
"Megan is one of the best keepers in the country," said Sounders Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr., a former Jamaica National Team goalkeeper. "She continues to go from strength to strength. It’s been great to see her get better each year. More importantly, she looks to improve each time she steps on the field.”
Kufeld burst onto the Sounders scene following her redshirt season at U.W. when she earned a start in the 2012 Western Conference Championship recording six saves in a narrow 1-0 loss. During the past two years she’s backed up current professionals Hope Solo and Erin McNulty. Kufeld is the frontrunner for the starting goalkeeper role in 2014.
“Her calming influence on the backline will be valuable once again," Busby added.
Sittauer developed into an exceptional player during her career at Washington. With no starts during her freshman season, the Everett, Washington native earned double-digit starts in her sophomore season and was a rock during her junior and senior years. The graduating senior can play left or right back, and occasionally featured in the midfield for the Huskies.
"We are pleased to have Annie back with the squad this year,” Busby Jr. said. “Her technical qualities and versatility enables us to play her in various positions. She will also be another leader for this group.”
In her first season with the Sounders in 2012, Sittauer played 12 matches and served three assists. Last W-League season she scored two goals in five matches despite missing most of the season while the Huskies took a summer trip to Italy.
Sittauer and Kufeld’s teammates from throughout the nation will be announced throughout the spring. In addition, the Sounders Women hold open tryouts this weekend (March 22-23) in search of undiscovered talent. Registration for tryouts is available at SoundersWomen.com.
Season Tickets for the 2014 Sounders Women season are on sale on SoundersWomen.com for as low as $100.