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Seattle Reign FC

Defender Paige Nielsen Signs with Seattle Reign FC

May 5, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE - Seattle Reign FC today announced that it has signed defender Paige Nielsen. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Nielsen, a 2016 University of North Carolina graduate, was selected by Reign FC as the 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. The Lincoln, Neb. native racked-up 97 minutes during Seattle's pre-season campaign, playing the full 90 minutes in Reign FC's 2-1 victory over Oregon State University in Portland, Ore. on April 2. Nielsen also saw minutes in the 4-1 win against the University of Washington at Memorial Stadium on April 9.

"I felt like we needed a bit more depth in the squad and Paige deserved the opportunity," said head coach Laura Harvey. "She's got to keep earning it, but she really deserved the chance to come out and show what she can do. I'm pleased for her."

"People here want to work for each other, it just draws me into this team," said Nielsen. "The coaches are awesome and we have a family atmosphere here. You don't always see that a lot coming out of college, so I'm really excited to be more a part of the team."

The former Tar Heel defender started all 20 games her final season at UNC, tallying 1,795 minutes on the pitch. She also led the team in scoring and game-winning goals in 2014.

"Keelin wrote something on the board in the locker room: 'You don't play to the level of your dreams, you fall to the level of your training,'" said Nielsen. "That's one of my favorite quotes, because as long as you prepare for those kind of moments you should be confident. So I'm just going to go out there with confidence along with my teammates."

Paige Nielsen

Position: Defender

Number: 12

Height: 5-5

Born: 14 October 1993 in Lincoln, Neb.

College: University of North Carolina

In a separate transaction, Seattle Reign FC has acquired the rights to forward Morgan Marlborough via waivers from the Boston Breakers. Marlborough is not expected to play the remainder of this NWSL season; Reign FC will hold her rights until the start of the 2017 NWSL preseason.

This Sunday, Reign FC will be on the road to face the Orlando Pride at Camping World Stadium, in Orlando, Fl. The match will be streamed live at youtube.com/nwsl starting at 2:00 p.m. PT.

Reign FC will return home to host regional rivals Portland Thorns FC at 7:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, May 14, in the first of four regular-season contests this year. Tickets begin at just $18 and are available at reignfc.com/thorns or by calling (855)-REIGN-FC.

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