Atlanta Silverbacks News Release - www.atlantasilverbacks.com

Thursday, March 6, 2008

ATLANTA, GA -- The Silverbacks Women signed four players from last year’s W-League finalist squad including leading scorer Christine Latham. Defender Julie Augustyniak-Tuff and midfielders Krista Davey and Candace West also return for 2008.

Latham, the club’s captain in 2007, tallied 10 goals and two assists in 13 appearances, earning All-Central Conference and All-W-League Playoff honors. In 2006 she netted two goals, adding one assist in six appearances.

As a selection for the Canadian National Team, Latham earned 43 caps, netting 15 career goals including three in the 2003 Women’s World Cup. She made her international debut May 5, 2002 versus South Korea.

Before joining the Silverbacks for the 2006 season, Latham played for the W-League New Jersey Wildcats, and the WUSA San Diego Spirit, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2003. A three-time All-American for the University of Nebraska, Latham is the school’s all-time leanding scorer tallying 69 goals between 1998 and 2002, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors in 2002 and 2001.

Augustyniak-Tuff returns for her third season with her home town side, making 10 appearances—starting eight—in 2007, earning Best 11 honors in week seven. In 2006 she featured in 14 games. Before joining the Silverbacks she played professionally for the WUSA Atlanta Beat (2001-2004) and in Germany and Sweden in 2003. While at Clemson University (1997-2000) she was named to the 2000 ACC All-Tournament Team and the 2000 Tiger’s Defensive MVP. From 1997 to 2000 she also played for the W-League Atlanta Classics.

Davey returns after featuring in all 16 fixtures in 2007, tallying five goals and eight assists. In 2006, her first season with the Silverbacks, she netted one goals adding three assists in 10 appearances. Before joining the Silverbacks she played professionally for the WUSA New York Power in 2002 and 2003, and the WUSA Washington Freedom in 2001. In 2002 she won a W-League title with the Chicago Cobras. At the University of North Texas (1996-1999) Davey was a three-time All-Big West Conference First Team recipient and named to the UNT Athletic Hall of Fame.

West is the youngest player to appear for the Silverbacks in the W-League, making her debut in 2006 at age 16. In 2007 West made 10 appearances, all as a substitute. In 2006 she appeared five times after being called up to the senior team from the Silverbacks’ Super-Y League team.

2008 Roster To Date
D Julie Augustyniak-Tuff
D Monica Buff
M Krista Davey
M Tara Minnax
M Melanie Schneider
M Candace West
F Christine Latham
F Sarah Steinmann

The Silverbacks Women kick off the 2008 season May 10 at Silverbacks Park against the Hampton Roads Piranhas.