USL- women's top teams

[Frank Cunha]

they got voted the best rookie team in the USL
Sky Blue Named Top Rookie Franchise

TAMPA, FL (November 19, 2007) - After putting together a standout debut season in the W-League in 2007, Jersey Sky Blue was honored last night by the United Soccer Leagues. Sky Blue was named the 2007 W-League Rookie Franchise of the Year at the USL Awards Banquet in Tampa.

Conceived by Sky Blue Soccer - the organization responsible for bringing professional women's soccer to the NJ/NY area in 2009 - Jersey Sky Blue excelled both on and off the field in its first season. The club finished with a 12-2 mark in the regular season while securing a postseason berth. Jersey Sky Blue also finished in the top third of the W-League in attendance while setting a standard for professionalism on the operational level.

"I was very happy when I heard about the award and am very proud of the Sky Blue team that made this happen," said Thomas Hofstetter, the President and CEO of Sky Blue Soccer. "The award confirms our hard work over the past year to put together a new type of soccer club in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area that integrates the world class local youth soccer programs with amateur and professional soccer."

In other W-League awards, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women were named the W-League Organization of the Year while Marcie Laumann of the Hampton Roads Piranhas was named the Executive of the Year. The complete list of league awards included:

· Regular Season Champions: Ottawa Fury
· Fair Play: West Michigan Firewomen
· Marketing: Fort Collins Force
· Communications: Richmond Kickers Destiny
· Key Grip: Rob Irwin, Toronto Lynx
· Executive of the Year: Marcie Laumann, Hampton Roads Piranhas
· Rookie Franchise of the Year: Jersey Sky Blue
· Organization of the Year: Atlanta Silverbacks

Jersey Sky Blue serves as an important piece of the Sky Blue Soccer pyramid. The W-League team bridges the gap between the youth soccer level and the professional ranks. Jersey Sky Blue will kick off its second season in the W-League in May 2008. Sky Blue will announce the team's schedule and home venue in the near future.

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About Sky Blue Soccer

Sky Blue Soccer is a highly-respected soccer organization both in the United States and internationally. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Sky Blue is developing an integrated program that allows soccer players to progress from the youth game to the amateur level to the professional ranks. Sky Blue Soccer is a founding member of the new women's professional soccer league that will launch in 2009 while Jersey Sky Blue will kick off its second season in the W-League in 2008.

About Jersey Sky Blue

Jersey Sky Blue will kick off its second season in the W-League in 2008 after making its debut in 2007. Playing its home games at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge in 2007, Jersey Sky Blue posted a 12-2 record while earning a berth in the W-League's Eastern Conference playoffs. After a successful debut season, the team was named the 2007 W-League Rookie Franchise of the Year.

Website: Sky Blue Soccer - Website Interface

About the W-League

In operation since 1995, the W-League is currently the highest-level women's soccer league in North America. The league features 40 teams for the 2008 season ranging all over the United States and Canada. In addition to international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players also have the opportunity to compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women's players while providing affordable family entertainment.

Website: United Soccer Leagues (USL)