U.S. U20 Team players Carolyn Blank and Gina DeMaio sign with Jersey
Monday, April 21
BEDMINSTER, NJ – Sky Blue Soccer announced today the addition of two top American talents to its W-League team Jersey Sky Blue with the signings of Carolyn Blank and Gina DeMaio. The two New Jersey natives are currently members of the United States Under-20 National Team pool.
DeMaio was in camp with the US U-20 Team led by head coach Tony DiCicco this past week at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA while Blank was most recently in camp with the team in January. Both players are expected to be in uniform when Jersey Sky Blue opens its second season in the W-League on Saturday, May 10 on the road against the Boston Renegades. Sky Blue will make its 2008 home debut on Saturday, May 31 when it hosts the Renegades at 7:30 PM EST at Drew University.
"We are happy to add two top young New Jersey talents to our Sky Blue squad," said Jersey Sky Blue Head Coach Denise Reddy. "Gina and Carolyn come from a highly successful club team and that enabled them to be impact players at their respective college programs. I am hoping their experiences on the club, college and national team levels will factor into Sky Blue’ success this season."
Blank and DeMaio were teammates on the club level with the highly successful PDA Wildcats. The duo helped that Wildcats team to the 2003 U-15 National Championship along with a third-place finish in 2004 and second-place finishes in 2005 & 2006.
Blank joins Sky Blue after two successful seasons at West Virginia University. The Toms River, NJ native guided the Mountaineers to their most successful season ever in 2007 earning team MVP honors in the process. Blank started all 25 games and posted three goals and four assists as West Virginia tied a school record for wins with an 18-5-2 mark and also captured the BIG EAST Tournament championship before advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Blank was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the BIG EAST Tournament and also earned All-BIG EAST second team honors.
DeMaio returns to Sky Blue after making her W-League debut in 2007 when she appeared in 13 games and accounted for three goals and one assist for seven points. On the collegiate level, the Parsippany, NJ native led Rutgers University in scoring in each of her first two seasons with the team.
As a freshman in 2006, DeMaio was a key factor as the Scarlet Knights posted their best season ever setting a school record for wins with a 16-3-4 mark. The two-time All-BIG EAST second team selection has 10 goals and 10 assists for 30 points in 43 games through her first two seasons at Rutgers.
Season tickets and group packages are available now through the Sky Blue Soccer website - www.SkyBlueSoccer.com - for Jersey Sky Blue 2008 W-League season.
About Sky Blue Soccer
Sky Blue Soccer is a highly-respected soccer organization both in the United States and internationally. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Sky Blue has developed an integrated program that allows soccer players to progress from the youth game to the amateur level to the professional ranks. Sky Blue Soccer is a founding member of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) - the new women’s professional soccer league that will kick off in April, 2009. Sky Blue Soccer also operates Jersey Sky Blue, which will kick off its second season in the W-League in 2008.
About Jersey Sky Blue
Jersey Sky Blue will kick off its second season in the W-League in 2008 with Drew University’s Ranger Stadium serving as the home field. In its debut season in 2007, Jersey Sky Blue posted a 12-2 record while earning a berth in the W-League’s Eastern Conference playoffs. After a successful debut season, the team was named the 2007 W-League Rookie Franchise of the Year.
About the W-League
In operation since 1995, the W-League is currently the highest-level women’s soccer league in North America. The league features 41 teams for the 2008 season ranging all over the United States and Canada. In addition to international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players also have the opportunity to compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women’s players while providing affordable family entertainment.
