Eclipse Select's Chicago Red Stars Preview Series

CHICAGO (April 13, 2013) - The National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its first campaign this weekend, with the Chicago Red Stars opening against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday (5 p.m., Village of Lisle – Benedictine University Sports Complex).

The Red Stars roster consists of five players with ties to Eclipse Select Soccer Club: midfielders Leslie Osborne and Julianne Sitch, defenders Rachel Quon and Jackie Santacaterina and goalkeeper Taylor Vancil.

Slide Tackles Communications caught up with all five players. Here are a few snippets:

Leslie Osborne / Chicago Red Stars

LESLIE OSBORNE (Brookfield, Wis.): On reuniting with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, the Red Stars’ head coach:
“Rory had a huge impact on me when I was a youth player, and at an instrumental age. He has been a mentor and a coach that influenced me as a person and as a player. For me to have the opportunity to come back and play for him again as a professional and be close to my family is a very unique opportunity, and it felt right to do. We have a very good relationship with our communication and respect, so I really appreciate that. I have already learned a lot in the last month playing for him again. I’m excited to continue to grow as a player and person, and as a professional from him, as well.”

Rachel Quon / Chicago Red Stars

RACHEL QUON (Lake Forest, Ill.): On what it was like getting drafted by the Red Stars in January:
“Although the memory was a little blurry since it was only 6 a.m. back at Stanford when the draft was happening, I was very excited to find out I would be playing in Chicago once again. I was grateful to know that I could continue pursuing my passion and do what I love every day.”

Julianne Sitch / Chicago Red Stars

JULIANNE SITCH (Oswego, Ill.): On having the chance to play her home games within 15 miles of her hometown:
“I’ve been lucky to have such a great following through my community, family and friends. They have been supporting me my whole career and it’s great to be able to play close to home for them. They’ve sat through some bad weather to support me. For all of that, I am very grateful to have people like them in my life.”

Jackie Santacaterina / Chicago Red Stars

JACKIE SANTACATERINA (Geneva, Ill.): On the training environment among the Red Stars team and the anticipation of the league:
“I am so happy that the league is back up and running. It’s a competitive, cutthroat environment, but it makes you work and earn your spot every single session. You can learn so much by just watching the example our veteran players have set. I get to train with Olympians and World Cup champions. I’ve taken something positive away from training every day.”

Taylor Vancil / Chicago Red Stars

TAYLOR VANCIL (South Elgin, Ill.): On what it means to represent the Red Stars and community having been a local product through her club days at Eclipse Select:
“Having gone to St. Charles North High School, living in that area for a few years, and playing for Eclipse, it has been such a cool experience to come back and see familiar faces. It means a lot to me to be able to represent the Chicago Red Stars. From the top down, it is such a fantastic organization of hard working people who want nothing more than to provide good role models for kids and to help grow the women’s professional game here in the U.S. It doesn’t get much better than being able to show girls in middle school and high school that you can achieve your dreams if you’re willing to work hard and keep a positive attitude. I hope that we will be able to maintain the NWSL so that girls across the country will have something to aspire to for years to come.”

For the latest Eclipse Select Soccer Club news, visit EclipseSelect.org, and for more about the Chicago Red Stars, visit ChicagoRedStars.net.

Four Eclipse Select alumni picked at inaugural 2013 NWSL Draft

L-R: Boston M/D Casey Short, Chicago D Rachel Quon,
Chicago GK Taylor Vancil, Seattle GK Haley Kopmeyer

CHICAGO -- Reflective of their high-caliber club and collegiate careers, four Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumni were chosen among the 32 players at the 2013 National Women's Soccer League College Draft held on Friday at the NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis.

The highest-picked representative from Eclipse Select at the draft was midfielder/defender Casey Short (Naperville, Ill.), who was the No. 5 overall selection by the Boston Breakers.

"It's such an incredible opportunity. It's a dream come true," Short said. "I've always dreamed of being able to play professionally, and to be playing with some of the best players in the country that I've looked up to all my life, I'm so blessed and excited for this opportunity."

Chicago soccer fans will not have to travel too far to see two of Eclipse Select's own as defender Rachel Quon (Lake Forest, Ill.) and goalkeeper Taylor Vancil (South Elgin, Ill.) were picked by the Chicago Red Stars who are coached by Eclipse Select President Rory Dames.

Former Eclipse Select goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer (Troy, Mich.) was the 31st overall selection and a fourth-round pick by Seattle Reign FC.

For the latest Eclipse Select news, visit www.EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumna Rachel Quon, Stanford win first College Cup

Rachel Quon -- ISI Photos

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- The third time was the charm for Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Stanford junior defender Rachel Quon (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest). Quon and the Stanford defense posted its 18th shutout of the season, none bigger than Sunday's 1-0 win over Duke to win the NCAA Women's College Cup in Kennesaw, Ga.

Quon was part of Stanford's 2009 and 2010 teams, which advanced to the College Cup only to suffer 1-0 championship game losses to North Carolina and Notre Dame, respectively. But this year was different as the Cardinal posted a 25-0-1 record this season and capped things off with the program's first national championship.

"There were a lot of emotions afterward, I can't even explain it," Quon said. "I'm just proud of my team, that we were able to finish it off this year. This team has never worked this hard over the last year, going back to when we lost last year and coming back in the winter and spring. It's incredible that we finally got that championship."

Quon topped her former Eclipse Select and Lake Forest High School teammate, Duke junior midfielder Nicole Lipp (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), to win the crown. Lipp was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team, and she contributed a corner kick assist to cap off the Blue Devils' scoring during Friday's 4-1 semifinal victory over Wake Forest.

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumni Quon, Lipp headed to Sunday's College Cup final

Stanford defender and Eclipse Select
alumna Rachel Quon (left) -- AP photo

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO - It is guaranteed that a former Eclipse Select Soccer Club player and a Lake Forest, Ill., native will win Sunday's NCAA Women's College Cup.

Stanford junior defender Rachel Quon (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) and the Cardinal advanced to the final with a 3-0 blanking of Florida State in Friday's first semifinal. In the nightcap, Duke junior midfielder Nicole Lipp (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) assisted the Blue Devils' final tally as Duke rolled to a 4-1 win over Wake Forest. Quon and Lipp were teammates at Eclipse Select and Lake Forest High School.

Sunday's final kicks off at noon CT on Sunday and will be televised on ESPNU and available at ESPN3.com.

Among other Eclipse Select alumni participating in Friday's semifinal round, Florida State junior forward Jessica Price (Libertyville, Ill./Vernon Hills) logged 45 minutes off the bench for the Seminoles. And Florida State junior backup goalkeeper Taylor Vancil (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) played five and a half scoreless minutes to close out the match against Stanford.

For the latest College Cup news, visit NCAA.com.

Eclipse Select Alumni: Quon, Lipp, Price preview Women's College Cup

(L-R) Rachel Quon, Nicole Lipp, Jessica Price

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- The NCAA Women's College Cup is all the buzz heading into the weekend in Kennesaw, Ga. Locally, there are Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumni playing for three of the remaining four teams as Stanford faces Florida State and Duke takes on Wake Forest in Friday's semifinal matches for the right to play for a national championship on Sunday.

Eclipse Select alumni and Stanford junior defender Rachel Quon (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), Duke junior midfielder Nicole Lipp (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) and Florida State junior forward Jessica Price (Libertyville, Ill./Vernon Hills) had a chance to talk before Friday's semifinals.

Stanford's Quon on her multiple back roles: "I played outside right back for the first two years and with Eclipse Select at outside right back. I started working on everything with my left this season because I just wanted to help my team out. If it meant moving to the left, I wanted to do it. I think having the experience of playing both sides helps. I have more confidence, and my teammates helped me with that transition."

Duke's Lipp on seeing Eclipse Select alumni at this stage: "Honestly it's a credit to the coaches that not just one or two former players are here. I think it says a lot about the training that we got at Eclipse. The fact that we're all here and seeing some familiar faces compete against one another, without that training I wouldn't be here today."

FSU's Price on returning from her ACL injury in 2010: "It was definitely really difficult to get ready physically and mentally again. I wanted to have a strong impact on the team and I just kept reminding myself to do the best that I can and get back. It was a typical ACL rehab -- six months or so. I got back on the field this spring, which was kind of a struggle. But this summer I got more comfortable."

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.