Dayton Dutch Lions News Release - www.daytondutchlionsfc.com
Thursday, April 17, 2014
DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dutch Lions FC is proud to announce the signing of three returnees for the 2014 W-League season: goalkeeper Brooke McCurdy, defender Abby Pearson and midfielder Brittany Charles.
"I am delighted with how the squad is shaping up so far, and it is especially nice to be able to showcase the best of the talent from the local area,” Dutch Lions Head Coach Gavin MacLeod said. “The buzz around the club in regard to the W-League team builds every week. With other major signings to announce shortly, I am very confident that we will be in a good position to build on last season’s success and give the Oranje Legion and the Dayton soccer community a W-League team to really get behind.”
McCurdy is a Canadian goalkeeper out of Wright State University, where she was named Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and Horizon League All-League First Team in 2013. She was also named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team and Horizon League All-League Second Team in 2012 after finishing eighth in NCAA Division I in individual save percentage.
McCurdy has two years of experience with the Dutch Lions in addition to a season spent with the Ohio Galaxies.
"I am elated to be playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions for a second season in a row and a third season altogether,” McCurdy said. “Last year was a great learning and playing experience and I am looking forward to repeating it again this summer."
Pearson is a Xenia, Ohio native who attended Urbana University. She was awarded NCAA D-II Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team honors in 2012, and was named to the All-Conference and All-Ohio First Team after leading the G-MAC in assists and serving as team captain.
“I am excited to play another season with the Dayton Dutch Lions,” Pearson said. “Last year was such a great learning experience and I am ready to improve upon that and enhance my game even more. The success of last season really gives us a strong platform to build on and I can't wait to get back out on the field with everyone and see how far we can take it this year."
Charles is a St. Bonaventure standout that hails from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She started all 19 games for the Brown and White in 2013, registering 10 assists and one goal. It was her third consecutive year leading the team in assists. In high school Charles earned All-America honors as a four-year letterwinner at Woodridge and Walsh Jesuit HS.
“After the success we had last season I'm looking forward to playing for the Dutch Lions again and am happy to have the opportunity to play under Gavin this season,” Charles said.