FASA Impact News Release - www.fasasoccer.org
Thursday, March 3, 2011
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - The Fredericksburg Impact continue to gear up for their inaugural season in the W-League with the acquisition of several more talented local players for head coach Jen Woodie's side.
The Impact have signed Richmond natives Julie Jennings, a sophomore at Christopher Newport University, and Carter Blair, who recently wrapped up her career at Richmond University, along with Longwood University junior and Stafford, Va. product Mackenzie King.
"I'm delighted to welcome Julie, Carter and Mackenzie to the team," said Woodie. "The season is just around the corner and we can't wait to get started."
Jennings, who played her club soccer with the Richmond Kickers, will bolster the Impact back line. Blair, a product of the Richmond Strikers youth system, has experience at central midfield or outside back and played for Woodie at UR, where the Impact boss is an assistant coach.
"I loved playing for Jen Woodie and after she took this job and offered me an opportunity to continue to play soccer after my college career, I couldn't say no," explained Blair, who was redshirted for the 2007 college season due to injury. "I have been battling injuries my entire college career, so I thought my soccer days were over. But I have seriously lucked out to get an opportunity to still play."
King is an attacking-minded midfielder with W-League experience from a stint with the Fredericksburg Gunners in 2008, where she played alongside another Impact signing, Kara Blosser.
In an interesting twist, another familiar face has officially been added to the Impact's W-League roster. The club has announced that Woodie, a Virginia Commonwealth alumna and former W-League standout with Richmond Kickers Destiny, will serve as a player/coach for 2011, giving the team an experienced option in defense.
The Impact will kick off their inaugural W-League campaign with a home match against local rivals the Northern Virginia Majestics at 3:00 pm on May 21. The game is the first half of a doubleheader with their FASA male counterparts, Fredericksburg Hotspur or the Premier Development League. Tickets are on sale now at www.fasasoccer.org.
North America's premier women's development league, the W-League features 27 teams from across the United States and Canada and utilizes a 'pro-am' structure which allows college players to compete at a high level while maintaining their NCAA eligibility.
About the Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association
Since its inception over 30 years ago, FASA has expanded to become one of the largest and most successful youth soccer organizations in the region. The club has over 1,200 players on Travel, Classic and Super Y teams, and hundreds more attending FASA camps, academies, and professional goalkeeper training. FASA teams compete in top regional and nationwide leagues, including WAGS, NCSL and Virginia State Cup.