PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (Friday, March 14, 2008) – The Pali Blues Soccer Club announced today the additions of midfielders Kara Kabellis, Rosie Tantillo, Leah Tapscott and forward Kandace Wilson. The foursome officially joined the Blues a week after it was announced that three members of the Australia National Team have come aboard the Blues for their inaugural season.
Kabellis, an alumna of the University of Wisconsin, is a three-time All-Big Ten selection. She was named Most Valuable Player while playing midfielder her senior season at Wisconsin, also receiving NCSSA All-Region First Team honors that year. The Lockport, Illinois, native finished her college career with 23 goals and 14 assists for 60 total points. She also spent time this past year with the U.S. U-23 National Team.
“Kara’s experience the U-23 National Team last year will certainly help push her into an important place on our team,” Naimo commented. “She is very comfortable on the ball in the back as well as being a sound one-on-one defender, both of which are great qualities.”
Tantillo also comes to the Blues with experience on the U.S. U-23 National Team. She was a four-year starting midfielder at the University of Southern California. She was selected the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2003 and earned all Pac-10 accolades her final three years playing for the Women of Troy. She ranks second all-time in game-winning goals (12), third in assists (25), third in shots (224), fourth in goals (25) and fourth in points (75) in the USC record books.
“Rosie possesses exceptional creativity and sees the game with a sophistication you want in an attacking center midfielder,” Naimo said. “She should really contribute to the aggressive style we are looking to produce, and she has been a fantastic surprise already. Based on feedback from colleagues I respect tremendously, I knew she would be very good, but I had no idea she would see the game on the complexed level that she does.”
Tapscott is a former NSCAA Second Team and All-Pac 10 First Team selection while playing for Stanford. In four years at Stanford, she tallied 30 points on ten goals and ten assists.
“Leah is a workhorse, and I was very pleased with her performance at the Silver Mug Tournament,” Naimo stated. “She is versatile and will contribute to the team in many areas. Her experience with the U.S. Amateur National Team will certainly play a factor in her being an impact player.”
Wilson brings to the Blues an impressive career while playing forward at Cal State Fullerton. The three-time All-Big West Conference First Team selection was also named the Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year following her senior season in 2005. She was a key member of the 2007 U.S. Women’s National Cup champion Ajax America, and she led the Women’s Premier Soccer League in scoring this past season with 15 goals in nine games.
“Kandace is very unique in that her athleticism is off the charts, and she proved to be very versatile at our last event,” Naimo remarked. “There is something special about her, and I think there are even more surprises to come.”
The Pali Blues Soccer Club will play the first game of their inaugural USL W-League regular season on the road against the Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, May 10. The following weekend, the Blues will play their inaugural home contest at the “Stadium by the Sea” when they host the Los Angeles Legends on Saturday, May 17. Tickets for home match ups are only $10 for adults ($8 with student ID) and $5 for kids under the age of 12.
Stay tuned to the team website at www.bluessoccerclub.com for all updates regarding the Blues.
