Top Canadian Striker Joins San Diego Spirit

Published on February 7, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Spirit have signed forward Christine Latham as one of its Discovery Players for the 2003 WUSA season. The 5-foot-9 striker finished her senior season at the University of Nebraska last fall as the leading scorer in Huskers history with 69 goals, 23 of them game winners, and a total of 167 points.

The Calgary, Alberta native was honored as an NSCAA All-American for the third consecutive year and was also a finalist, for the third year in a row, for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, signifying college soccer's top player. She finished her college career with 17 multiple goal games and an amazing 400 total shots. She was the Big 12 Conference Tournament Offensive MVP in 2002 and was also honored as a First-Team All-Big 12 Conference selection for the third consecutive season. She was the Big 12 Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior.

"Christine brings some great qualities to our team," said Spirit head coach Omid Namazi. "She is strong, very tough and extremely aggressive inside the penalty area. She has valuable international experience which will help her adjust more quickly to the WUSA and she has the enthusiasm of a young player to come in and make a difference in this league."

The 21-year-old Latham has scored five times in her 18 games for the full Canadian National Team, facing China, Germany, Sweden, Norway and the United States, among others, in her international career thus far. Latham also played four years with the Canadian Under-21 National Team. She is the first-ever Canadian on the Spirit roster.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and I'm going to try to make the most of it," said Latham. "It can be difficult for Canadians to break into the league, but hopefully more will start to get the chance. I've heard great things about San Diego and the stadium and I can't wait for March to come."

Although Latham has signed a player contract with the WUSA, her signing is contingent on the finalization of her official work visa.

The San Diego Spirit is a charter member of the WUSA and plays their home matches at the 7,035-seat Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. The Spirit kicks off their third season of action on April 5, 2003, against the Boston Breakers. Kickoff is 6 p.m. PT. For season ticket information, please contact the Spirit ticket office at 1-877-4SOCCER (1-877-476-2237) or 619-692-9872, or visit the club's website at www.sandiegospirit.com.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from February 7, 2003


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