April 13, 2012
SEATTLE - After weeks of making plenty of moves in the signings of national team players, the Sounders Women played its first exhibition game Monday night against Seattle Pacific University in front of a near sell-out crowd at Starfire. The Sounders Women put on a shutout performance, getting five goals from five different players, including Mexican National Team player and former Husky standout Veronica Perez. The forward also had four shots and created several chances for her teammates. USWNT starting goalkeeper and former Husky All-American Hope Solo had three saves before being substituted out in the 83rd minute. Two-time Husky team captain Kate Deines also earned the start in her first game. Deines, who finished her UW career ranked first in games played and started, was thrilled to play amongst a few of the best players in the nation, saying "I felt so honored to get the opportunity to play with such amazing players, to play for such a knowledgeable coaching staff and to play in front of such an awesome crowd. I think we definitely came out with a bang in our home opener and I know we are only going to continue to improve as a team. It's definitely an exciting time to be a Seattle Women's Sounder." Former Husky Kelli Smith also got the start and played all 90 minutes. In addition to the signings of Solo, Perez, and Deines, the Sounders Women kept busy in the offseason, signing WPS Rookie of the Year Keelin Winters and four more USWNT players in former Cal great Alex Morgan, former UCLA Bruin Sydney Leroux, and University of Portland products Stephanie Cox and Megan Rapinoe, and also resigning current Husky midfielder Lindsay Elston. The UW women's soccer team will have the opportunity to play against the some of the greats when they visit the Sounders at Starfire Complex on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase match tickets, visit the Sounders Women website (sounderswomen.com). The Huskies will continue their spring season on Saturday, April 21 at 12 p.m. against Seattle University at Championship Field. |
