MOBILE, Ala.-Four current University of South Alabama soccer student-athletes and one 2011 signee are all participating in the Women’s premier Soccer League (WPSL) this summer.
Clarissa Hernandez, Kristen Sutton, Jessica Oram and Sean Meach are playing for the Gulf Coast Texans based out of Pensacola, Fla. Senior defender Rachel Hess is playing for the American Eagles in her home state of Texas.
During the 2010 season, Hernadez appeared in all 20 games with 17 starts recording two goals and two assists. Sutton appeared in 17 games with one start last season for the Jaguars, while Oram started and played in all 20 games in the backfield. Hess saw action in seven matches last season for the Jags.
Meach, a member of the Jaguars 2011 signing class, was a four-year letter-winner at Pensacola High School, where she was voted team-captain, team-MVP and led her team in scoring for the past three seasons.
“Coach David Kemp and the people involved in the Gulf Coast Texans have done a great job in bringing a local team into the WPSL,” USA head coach Mike Varga commented. “It is the ideal situation for some of our current players to play at the highest level possible over the summer and stay close to the University. Our current players that play for the team are getting quality coaching and training all summer, and will be prepared for the season when we begin in August.”
“Incoming freshman Shawn Meach also made the team and is gaining valuable experience of what the college game will be like as well.
Rachael Hess is also playing in the league for the American Eagles in Texas.”
The WPSL is a 60-plus team national league for the summer 2011 season competing in five conferences, and is the largest women’s soccer league in the world. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL’s mission is to provide the highest level of soccer in our effort to: bring affordable & quality family entertainment to the community; display positive role models for our youth; while, being a stepping stone for aspiring professional & international-level players.
“Many of the nation’s top collegiate players have a place to play now in the summer, and I think more of our team members will start finding teams as we move in to the future,” Varga said.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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