Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signings of defender Malloree Enoch, midfielders Kelsey Hood and Krista Kruse, as well as striker Alysha Bonnick to the club’s 2011 W-League roster – pending United States Soccer Federation approval.
“All four of these players are excellent additions to our 2011 squad,” said Hubert Busby Jr., Whitecaps FC women’s team head coach. “Malloree is a versatile player who will always lead by example and Kelsey is a model professional who our young players will learn from. Krista has tremendous work ethic and versatility, while Alysha’s speed and ability to beat players will add to our attacking arsenal.”
Enoch, 26, joins Vancouver after spending the past three seasons playing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II soccer at Saint Leo University. During her career with the Lions, Enoch started 36 of her 38 appearances, scoring seven goals and recording 18 assists for 32 total points. The 5-foot-5 defender/midfielder had her strongest statistical season in 2008 when she scored four goals and added seven assists for a total of 15 points. Prior to playing at Saint Leo, the Fairview, Oregon product played in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for Concordia University. In 2003, she was honoured as Cascade Conference Player of the Year and was named an NAIA All-American. Enoch holds Concordia records for goals in a season with 20, goals in a game with four, and points in a season with 53.
Hood, 24, joins Whitecaps FC after spending the 2010 season playing with Norwegian Toppserien club FK Donn. Prior to her time abroad, Hood played in the W-League for Minnesota Lightning. In 2009, the 5-foot-6 midfielder started all 12 games for the Lightning, registering two assists. Hood also spent four seasons playing NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Minnesota, starting 81 of her 82 career appearances while scoring five goals and recording nine assists for a total of 19 career points. As captain in her senior season, the native of Ankeny, Iowa, led the Golden Gophers to the regular season Big Ten Championship and the final 16 of the NCAA tournament, the program’s deepest postseason run. In leading Minnesota to a Big Ten record 17 shutouts that season, Hood was named to the Soccer Buzz All-America Second Team as well as being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Hood also earned All-Big Ten Second Team honours in 2006 and 2007, while being named to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2008.
Kruse and Bonnick come to Vancouver after teaming up to play NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Missouri for the past four years.
Kruse, 22, joins Whitecaps FC after starting 52 of her 83 career appearances for the Tigers, scoring 13 goals and adding five assists for 31 career points. Last year, the 5-foot-6 midfielder had her best season, starting every match while finishing second on the team with 1,561 total minutes played. In her final year, Kruse was also second on the team with eight goals and two assists for 18 total points. In 2009, the Fort Collins, Colorado product started all 21 of her appearances while scoring two goals and tallying three assists. That same year, Kruse was called into camp to play for the United States U-23 national team.
Bonnick, 22, joins Whitecaps FC after starting 78 of her 85 career appearances for Missouri, scoring 38 goals and adding 18 assists for 99 career points. The 5-foot-5 striker also holds the school record for game-winning goals with 14. In her final season with the Tigers, Bonnick led the team with nine goals, three assists and 21 points, earning All-Big 12 second team honours. In 2008, the native of North Gower, Ontario, scored 11 goals and added four assists for 26 points. Her performance in her sophomore season earned her recognition on the Soccer America All-America fourth team, as well as being named to the All-Big 12 first team. Bonnick’s best statistical season was in her first year when she scored 11 goals with 10 assists for 32 points en route to being named 2007 Big 12 Rookie of the Year. Internationally, Bonnick has made two appearances for the senior Canadian women’s national team.
In 2011, defending W-League Western Conference champions Whitecaps FC will play their regular season home schedule at seven different home venues throughout the province of British Columbia, as part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League (GMSL).
Whitecaps FC will kick off their 2011 home schedule on Sunday, May 22, at 4 p.m. PT, when they battle Seattle Sounders at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC. Five days later, the 'Caps will host Colorado Rush at Chilliwack's Exhibition Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT. Additional home venues include Surrey's Newton Athletic Park Field on Friday, June 10; Whistler's Myrtle Philip Field on Friday, June 24; Richmond's Minoru Arena on Canada Day (Friday, July 1); and Penticton's Kings Park Field on Friday, July 8. The team concludes the regular season at Langley’s McLeod Athletic Park Field on Friday, July 15.
Whitecaps FC begin the 2011 season on the road against W-League expansion outfit Victoria Highlanders FC at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC, on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. PT.
Ticket information for the 2011 Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series will be announced shortly. For additional information, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604.669.WAVE (9283).
Whitecaps FC women’s youth programs are made possible by the support of the Whitecaps Foundation. For information on the Whitecaps Foundation and how to become a donor, visit whitecapsfoundation.org.
