Palisades, Calif. (Tuesday, May 25, 2010) - The Pali Blues, back-to-back champions of the USL W-League are proud to announce the recent signings of two new players. Teammates on the 2008 United States FIFA U-20 World Cup team, defender Lauren Fowlkes and forward Alex Morgan are set to join the Pali Blues at the Stadium by the sea this summer for the 2010 campaign.
“Lauren and Alex are not only U-20 world cup gold medallists and two of the best players in college soccer, they are two players that could impact WPS teams right now” commented Pali Blues coach, Charlie Naimo. “There is no doubt their names will be called in the top 5-7 picks in the WPS next January."
By way of St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, Lauren Fowlkes has honed her skills as a member of Notre Dame’s Women’s Soccer team. Originally a midfielder, she improved her defensive skills under the tutelage of then teammate and former Pali Blues star, Carrie Dew. Despite her skills as a defender with the Fighting Irish, Fowlkes also excelled as a forward, scoring 10 goals during her junior year.
"Lauren is very unique in her own right,” said Coach Naimo. “It is not often a player can lock down some of the best attacks in the world as a center back on the U-S U20 team that won gold and then receive countless accolades as a forward in college at Notre Dame. She is also a super athlete and will make us quite versatile."
Diamond Bar native, Alex Morgan comes to the Pali Blues already having been capped by the United States Women’s National team earlier this year in a friendly vs. Mexico. She has also been called into camp for next week’s friendly against Germany, to be played at Browns Stadium, in Cleveland, Ohio.
"Alex is one of the strongest forwards in America,” stated Naimo. “Aside from her strong presence, she is two footed and extremely hard working. Her teammates on the USWNT have nothing but praise for her. She is a hand full."
Before her time with the national team, Morgan rose thru the ranks at Berkley. In her three years with the Golden Bears, she scored 31 goals while also having spent time with the United States U-20 squad. Having traveled to Chile for the 2008 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Morgan scored 4 goals en route to being named the recipient of the tournament’s bronze shoe (3rd highest scorer) and silver ball (2nd best player). Her goal vs. North Korea in the final was also voted the goal of the tournament.
“This is what it’s all about,” explains Blues GM Jason Lemire. “This year we launched a new team motto: ‘The Pali Blues: Where Tomorrow’s Heroes Play Today’, and in Lauren and Alex we have two players who are clearly destined for great things. It is a credit to Coach Naimo, as well as the stength of our Western Conference and the USL W-League as a whole that our roster continues to feature such inspiring players."
