Washington Freedom News Release - www.washingtonfreedom.com
Thursday, April 3, 2008
WASHINGTON DC -- The Washington Freedom announce today the signing of US Women’s National Team player and Richmond Kickers Destiny standout Becky Sauerbrunn. Sauerbrunn joins the Freedom as they set out to defend their 2007 W-League Championship.
A former youth National Team captain, Sauerbrunn was called up to the US Women’s National Team for the Four Nations Cup in January 2008 after a successful senior season with the Cavaliers and a 2007 W-League playoff appearance with Richmond.
Sauerbrunn spent the past two years with Richmond, notching two goals in 21 regular season appearances. Her third playoff appearance with the Kickers Destiny last year saw her tally a goal and assist in a 4-2 overtime loss to host Minnesota. In 2005 she tallied a goal and assist in 11 games for the Boston Renegades as they finished second in the division and a postseason berth.
The 2007 NCAA season saw Sauerbrunn named as a first team NSCAA All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Scoring one goal and adding three assists, Sauerbrunn headed up the defense for UVA that led the nation in goals against average (0.40) and set a school record with 15 shutouts. She is the only three-time NSCAA All-American in Virginia history and only one of two Cavaliers to be twice named a first team All-American.
Sauerbrunn adds to the Freedom’s impressive collection of current and former US Women’s National Team members that includes former UVA standouts Lori Lindsay, former teammate Sarah Huffman and Christie Welsh.
Coach Gabarra is looking forward to having Sauerbrunn playing with the Freedom, “We are pleased that Becky has decided to play with the Freedom this summer. We expect her to step right in and solidify our central defense. Watching her play over the past three years she has proven to have a professional attitude. This along with her National team experience will be a great asset for the Freedom."
The Freedom will open their preseason with a match against Penn State at the Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament on April 12, 2008, 6:00pm at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland.
Sauerbrunn will get her first taste of W-League action wearing the Freedom shirt on the road at Long Island on May 10th while she’ll make her home debut on June 1, 2008, 6:00pm at the Maryland SoccerPlex when the Freedom host the Boston Renegades. Tickets are $10 ($8 for groups of 20 or more). More information can be found at www.WashingtonFreedom.com.
