Silverbacks Set To Defend First Place And Southern Derby Cup At Home Saturday

May 11, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks, 2-0-2, will be defending their league-leading status and unbeaten record this Saturday night at 7:55 pm when the team takes on the Carolina RailHawks at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. The team will also begin play for the 2007 Southern Derby Cup - a cup created by fans of several southeastern USL First Division teams. The Silverbacks have won the cup four times (the most of any other team) since the cup's inception in 2000. The Cup currently resides at the Silverbacks' offices where it will hopefully remain after the 2007 results. This year, the Southern Derby Cup includes the Atlanta Silverbacks, the Charleston Battery, and the recently added Carolina RailHawks. The Cup will consist of six games (the final home and away games for each team's series) during the 2007 regular season. Each team receives three points for a win and one point for a tie - the team with the most points at the end of the tournament will receive the bragging rights and the trophy.

The Silverbacks have played the RailHawks twice so far in 2007, recording a 0-0 tie on the road in North Carolina and a 2-0 win last weekend. The RailHawks notched their first win in franchise history on Tuesday night in an exhibition game with MLS side, Chivas USA. The RailHawks mixed up the starting line-up and two newcomers to the top 11, Phillip Long and Anthony Maher, proved to be welcomed additions - they each scored during the match. Both teams will be playing for a win towards the Southern Derby Cup; in addition, the Silverbacks will be fighting to stay atop the USL First Division standings and the RailHawks will be fighting to earn their first USL First Division regular season win. Saturday night's match will be an exciting, intense match between two strong teams. For more information call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

SILVERBACKS WOMEN TRAVEL TO CHARLOTTE TO TAKE ON LADY EAGLES IN W-LEAGUE SEASON OPENER

The Atlanta Silverbacks Women open the 2007 W-League season on the road in Charlotte, NC against the Charlotte Lady Eagles tomorrow night. The Silverbacks beat the Lady Eagles twice last season: 3-0 and 2-1. Sarah Steinmann recorded the franchise's first hat trick in Atlanta's 3-0 win over Charlotte last year. Steinmann, along with 12 other returning players, will continue to be the core of the Silverbacks' 2007 squad. In addition, the Silverbacks have added some young, dynamic players to help the team reach the playoffs in 2007. The franchise today announced seven additions to the roster, all newcomers to the Silverbacks, who each bring a wealth of playing experience.

Carolyn Ford joins the Silverbacks from Duke University where she earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year while starting in 86 matches during her four years as a starter. Ronda Brooks joins the Silverbacks from Auburn University where she earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year while leading her team to its fifth SEC West Division Title. Brooks isn't the only Tiger joining the Silverbacks, Sara Power, will also dress in red and black this summer. Power helped Auburn to a spot in the top ten and an SEC Championship during her time with the Tigers. Staci Pugh and Rebecca Hall join Atlanta from Kennesaw State University. Pugh, a goalkeeper, finished the 2006 season fifth in NCAA Division I women's soccer for goals against average. Hall, a forward, helped lead KSU to a NCAA Division II Championship in 2003 (the team later moved to D-I) and she was named to the 2006 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament team. Kay Harbrueger, another local player, joins the 'Backs from Georgia State University - now a sophomore, Harbrueger, led all GSU freshmen in goals (4), assists (5), and points (13). Katie Klaas, a veteran of the W-League, joins the Silverbacks from the premier professional league in Sweden where she was the leading scorer for Jitex BK.

The Silverbacks Women open their home season on June 1 at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in a rematch against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. For more information call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

U23's HOST RAILHAWKS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON

The Atlanta Silverbacks U23's will kickoff their 2007season when they host the Cary RailHawks U23's on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. The U23's finished their inaugural season in the USL Premier Development League with a 6-6-4 record last year. Under new leadership from Steve Muccillo and with some additions to the roster, the U23's will hope to reach the playoffs and improve in their second year. Tickets to see the U23's can be purchased for $5.00 at the stadium box office. For more information, call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.



USL First Division Stories from May 11, 2007


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