Seattle Sounders Women News Release - www.sounderswomen.com
Monday, April 14, 2014
TUKWILA, Wash – The Seattle Sounders Women have signed defender Kelsey Hodges from the University of North Texas for the 2014 W-League season, pending league approval. Hodges, 23, scored nine goals for UNT during the 2013 season, totaling 32 goals in her career. She started in all 21 matches they participated in last season and ranks fifth in UNT history with 84 career starts.
“Playing for the Sounders Women will help me to continue to grow as a soccer player and help me reach the next level of my game,” Hodges said. “Playing with girls from across the country that I haven’t played with before will be a great learning experience.”
The 5’-foot-7 star was named Conference USA Preseason “Player to Watch” for 2013 and ranked second among position players in UNT history with 7,174 career minutes. During the 2013 season Hodges was selected to the Conference USA All-Tournament Team, was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, a NSCAA First-Team All-Region Selection, and to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week.
“Wearing the Sounders jersey will be a unique experience for me," she said. "Growing up I’ve always played on a team in my hometown, including college, so this time it’s going to be different in a good way. I’m over the top excited and extremely blessed in getting the chance to wear the blue and green for the Sounders.”
A Texas native, Hodges leads UNT with 10 career game-winning goals and is eager to continue her growth as a player and pursue her goal of playing at the professional level.
“I’ve heard soccer fans in Seattle are completely awesome and 'die-hard' fans, which makes me that much more excited about coming to play there,” Hodges added.
The Sounders Women will host their next exhibition game at 7 p.m. on April 25 against the University of Washington at Starfire. Tickets for the match are available on SoundersWomen.com.