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Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Women Sign Marton, McNulty, and Patterson

March 30, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that defender Lexi Marton, goalkeeper Erin McNulty, and striker Carrie Patterson have all been signed to the club's 2011 United Soccer Leagues (USL) W-League roster - pending United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and USL approval.

"All three players bring a wealth of experience to our club this season," said Whitecaps FC women's team head coach Hubert Busby Jr. "Lexi is a confident and tenacious defender who is very dominant in the air, Erin is a commanding goalkeeper who is technically very sound, and Carrie is an exciting player with great attacking instincts."

Marton, 20, returns to Whitecaps FC after making four appearances with one assist for the club in 2008. The native of Aurora, Ontario, also played four seasons for Toronto Lady Lynx, appearing in 35 matches and adding three assists. As a 17-year-old in 2007, Marton captained the Lady Lynx and was runner-up for the W-League's U-19 Player of the Year award, while being named to the W-League All-Eastern Conference Team. Marton has eight senior caps for the Canadian national team since making her debut on March 7, 2008. That same year, the defender captained her country to the CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship title in Puebla, Mexico. Marton has also been a member of Pennsylvania State University since 2009. In two seasons with the Nittany Lions, Marton has started all 27 of her appearances.

McNulty, 21, returns to the 'Caps after making four appearances - including three wins and one shutout - for the club in 2008. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has spent the past two seasons with fellow W-League side Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, making 17 appearances with ten wins and six shutouts. McNulty also spent three previous W-League seasons with Ottawa Fury, making seven appearances with five wins and four shutouts. In 2008, McNulty backstopped Canada to the CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship title in Puebla, Mexico, starting all five matches and recording three shutouts. McNulty has also had a very successful career with Florida State University, playing for the Seminoles since 2007. In her freshman season, McNulty played in all 27 games for FSU, as they reached the NCAA Women's College Cup final before losing 2-0 to the University of Southern California. The keeper's efforts earned her Soccer America All-Freshmen Team and Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American honours that year. The Canadian ranks second all-time in goalkeeper wins for the Seminoles with 36.

Patterson, 23, joins Vancouver after playing last season with Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). The native of Atlanta, Georgia, was selected in the fifth round (40th overall) of the 2010 WPS Draft by the Independence before being traded to Atlanta Beat. However, Patterson rejoined Philadelphia for the 2010 season. Prior to her time in WPS, Patterson played for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the W-League, making six appearances with two goals and one assist in 2009. The American striker also had a distinguished four-year playing career at the University of Georgia. Patterson is the all-time leader in goals (44), assists (23) and points (111) for the Bulldogs and was named to the 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America Second Team and Soccer Buzz All-America Second Team.

In 2011, defending W-League Western Conference champions Whitecaps FC will play their regular season home schedule at seven different home venues throughout the province of British Columbia, as part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League (GMSL). Whitecaps FC will kick off their 2011 home schedule on Sunday, May 30, at 2 p.m. PT, when they battle Colorado Force FC at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC. Five days later, the 'Caps will host Colorado Rush at Chilliwack's Exhibition Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT. Additional home venues include Surrey's Newton Athletic Park Field on Friday, June 10; Whistler's Myrtle Philip Field on Friday, June 24; Richmond's Hugh Boyd Stadium on Canada Day (Friday, July 1); and Penticton's Kings Park Field on Friday, July 8. The team concludes the regular season at Langley's McLeod Athletic Park Field on Friday, July 15. Whitecaps FC begin the 2011 season on the road against W-League expansion outfit Victoria Highlanders FC at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC, on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. PT.

Ticket information for the 2011 Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series will be announced shortly. For additional information, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604.669.WAVE (9283).

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