Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
BOYDS, Md. – With the start of training just more than a month away, the Washington Spirit Reserves proudly announced the return of Ashley Herndon and Meghan Cox to the W-League squad for the 2014 season. In their first year as members of the James Madison University women’s soccer team, Herndon and Cox started every game to lead the Dukes to an impressive 15-5-1 record.
While both players just completed their freshman year in college soccer, Cox and Herndon are already W-League veterans with numerous years’ experience. In addition to both starting for the Spirit Reserves in 2013, Herndon played the previous two years for D.C. United Women while Cox starred for the Northern Virginia Majestics.
A native of Ashburn, Virginia, Herndon made an immediate impact on the James Madison attack. The speedy forward finished second on the team in points courtesy of six goals and seven assists, including four game-winning tallies in her rookie campaign. Following the season, she received the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Year award and was named All-CAA, All-Mid-Atlantic Region and All-State.
While listed as both a defender and midfielder, Cox demonstrated all season that she could fit in anywhere on the field for the Dukes. In her first collegiate match, Cox transitioned forward to blast home the first goal of the season for JMU in a victory against the University of Richmond. She followed it up in the next match with another goal against LaSalle to earn CAA Rookie of the Week honors.
Most recently, Cox has announced she will transfer from James Madison to join the women’s soccer program at the University of Virginia next fall.
“I've always enjoyed watching Ashley go at opposing players because she puts defenders on their heels and loves to go at goal,” Spirit Reserves Assistant Coach JP Sousa said. “And Meghan is a player who has the ability to play any position on the field.
“Her versatility is really going to help us this summer.”
The Washington Spirit Reserves face a challenging schedule of opponents in the Northeast Conference this season, including historic playoff contenders the Long Island Rough Riders and W-League veterans the New York Magic.
The Spirit Reserves kick off their season Saturday, May 17 against the Braddock Road Stars Elite at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Match time is currently slated for 3 p.m. and is the first match of a special doubleheader with the Washington Spirit professional side. The Spirit take on Abby Wambach and the Western New York Flash at 6:30 p.m.