WNY Flash Sign 5 to 2013 NWSL Roster
Published on February 15, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
The Western New York Flash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) have announced the signing of five players to their 2013 roster. Three will be new to the team this year including Sarah Huffman, Samantha Kerr and Brittany Taylor. Midfielder McCall Zerboni and Striker Adriana MartÃ-n SantamarÃ-a have also agreed to return to the club.
WNY Flash coach Aaran Lines after the free agent signings:
"First and foremost I am excited to bring back two integral players from the 2012 WPSL Elite Championship squad in McCall and Adriana. Adriana is a top striker and proved that last season by being the league leading goal scorer. McCall is a leader on and off the field and I will be looking at her in the midfield next to Carli (Lloyd) with her creativity and technical abilities. I look forward to continuing both players development to help reach our goals as a club, and individually."
Huffman was the first pick in the first round of the 2008 WPS Draft for the Washington Freedom. She also spent a year with MagicJack, also of the WPS, as well as Pali Blues of the W-League. She is a 2006 graduate of the University of Virginia where she finished her career as a two-time All American, a two-time Soccer America MVP, and a three- time All-ACC Selection. In 2004, as a junior, she was a finalist for the Soccer Buzz National Player of the Year. The Connecticut native has been a member of the U-16, U- 17, U-19, U-21, and U-23 United States national teams and was called up to the full national team in 2010.
Kerr is a 19-year-old international professional from Australia. She has 18 caps for the Australian Women's National Team as a forward, and has been a huge part of the Sydney FC football club of the Australian W-League, where she was voted the Player's Player in 2009.
"I am really excited and looking forward to arriving into the US and to meet my new team mates, fans and everyone at the club" Kerr said. "The Western New York Flash are a great club and hopefully I can help the club be successful in this year's NWSL." "The Western New York Flash are a successful club and they are assembling a fantastic team for the NWSL so I am very happy for Sam and for the club that we have been able to reach agreement." said Bill Drossos, Kerr's manager. "Sam is a very exciting player and a great person and there is no doubt she will be a great addition to the club for this season".
Brittany Taylor, a defender from Campbell Hall, NY, comes to the Flash after a year with the New York Fury of the WPSL-Elite League. Before that she spent a year holding down the back line with Sky Blue FC of the WPS. She graduated from the University of Connecticut where she was named a two-time All American and two-time BIG EAST Defender of the Year in 2007 and 2009. She currently is a member of the U-23 USWNT.
"Defensively, Brittany Taylor is a versatile player with great physical attributes, leadership and National Team experience and will anchor the back line. Sarah Huffman is an accomplished player with who can play either centrally or on the flank, and has excellent crossing ability. Rounding out the five is 19 year old Australian International Samantha Kerr. The dynamic striker is coming off a great season with Sydney FC winning the W-League and will be hungry to make a splash in America" said Aaran Lines.
Adriana, a Spanish international, returns to the Flash after 11 appearances and 15 goals for the Flash last season. The striker spent the fall playing for Chelsea Ladies of the FA WSL. She is a long time member of the Spanish national team and has won 2 Spanish League and 3 National Cups playing for various clubs in Spain including Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Pozuelo. She also spent a year with Sky Blue of the WPS the year before coming to the Flash.
McCall Zerboni, who has become a staple in the midfield for the Flash, is coming on board as the 7th allocated player, as the club was shorted one player during the NWSL allocation back in January. Zerboni appeared in all but one match last season for the Flash, contributing 4 goals. The California native and UCLA grad was MVP her senior season. She was drafted in the 2009 WPS Draft by the Los Angeles Sol, and also played one season with the Atlanta Beat, prior to her signing as a free agent with the Flash for the 2011 season.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 15, 2013
- WNY Flash Sign 5 to 2013 NWSL Roster - Western New York Flash
- Washington Spirit Preseason Series Features College Champions - Washington Spirit
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