Xavier Soccer To Play Washington Freedom on Mar. 28

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Xavier University women’s soccer team will host the Washington Freedom of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) and University of Cincinnati in an exhibition game in Nippert Stadium on Sunday, March 28th at 1 p.m. Cincinnati and Xavier will scrimmage each other for one half, and each team will play one half against the Freedom. There will be a 20 minute autograph session following the event.

Abby Wambach, the 2003 Chevrolet Female Athlete of the Year, will lead the Freedom during its exhibition tour. Wambach scored two goals during the 2003 Founders Cup III Championship game, including the “golden goal” during overtime to capture the title for her team and MVP honors of the tournament. She ended the regular season tied for first in the league in scoring with 13 goals, and was named Player of the Month in July for two multiple-goal games and three game-winners. She was also named the WUSA Rookie of the Year in 2002.

Joining Wambach on the Freedom roster will be hometown favorites Katie Barnes of Mason and Heather Mitts of Hyde Park. Jamie Cowgill, granddaughter of UC benefactor, Richard Lindner and soccer player at the University of Colorado, will also be participating for the Freedom as a special guest.

Barnes scored two goals and posted one assist as a member of the San Jose CyberRays in 2003. She was also a member of the U-21 U.S. Women’s National Team player pool in 2001, helping the team win its third straight Nordic Cup in Oslo, Norway. Barnes also earned two consecutive BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year honors during her college tenure at West Virginia, leading the Mountaineers to two straight BIG EAST championship appearances.

Mitts, one of the best known faces in the WUSA, was a second round draft pick by the Philadelphia Charge in 2000 and went on to set a team record in 2002 after posting assists in four straight games. She participated in the 2002 training camp with the U.S. National Team and helped the U-21 squad to its first Nordic Cup victory in 1999. An All-American at the University of Florida, Mitts led the Gators to a National Championship in 1998. She was a two-year member of the state champion Club Cincinnati and led St. Ursula Academy to four straight district titles, the 1993 Ohio State crown and a 70-5-10 record during her four years. Tickets are general admission and cost $15. They will be available on Feb. 26 via www.UCBearcats.com or by phone at 513-556-CATS.

Washington Freedom Roster
Katie Barnes
Emmy Barr
Meredith Beard
Jennifer Grubb
Lori Lindsey
Jacqui Little
Sandra Minnert
Heather Mitts
Carrie Moore
Siri Mullinix
Sarah Kate Noftsinger
Christie Pearce
Laura Schott (DEV)
Lindsay Stoecker
Abby Wambach
Nicci Wright
Casey Zimny

Head Coach: Jim Gabarra
Assistant Coach: Clyde Watson
Assistant Coach: David Vanole

Schedule

Upcoming Events