Liz #19

Position --  forward/midfielder

Nickname -- LC

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Having fun (and treats after practice)

Greatest Contribution to United -- Crossing and shooting

Favorite Quote -- "I'm not gonna lie." -Rachael

Coach on LC -- "LC came to us with good ball control and knowledge, but she has blossomed into a dangerous attacker.  She also has a great sense of humor.  Sometimes we joke about how LC always thinks that throw-ins belong to her team, but you know, that mentality has given us a little swagger."

Laura #1

Position --  wing midfielder/goalkeeper

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite United Moment -- Kasey took a corner and I let it through my legs for Jess and we nearly scored.

It's the Little Things that Count -- I like eating banana chips in the carpool with Kasey and Jess

Greatest Contribution to United -- Crossing and throw-ins

Coach on Laura -- "I initially brought Laura on as a second keeper and she has shown that she is a talented one.  But her contributions as a field player have been critical.  She's a player who is hungry for goals.  Laura is also one of very few her age that can switch fields with one swing.  And she's right, she can throw balls in farther than any player, boy or girl, I've coached."

Elena #18

Position --  center back/sweeper

Nickname -- El-El, Ellie, Nut Tree

United Experience -- 4th year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- The feeling after a hard fought game

Favorite United Moment -- Winning the Dulles Tournament (after finishing dead last two years ago)

Greatest Contribution to United -- Run fast (Amen!)

Soccer Hero -- Jaime Moreno

Coach on Elena -- "Elena is a human vacuum cleaner.  She can also be a carnivore when she cuts forwards off on breakaways.  She is demoralizing for the opponent.  I like how demanding she is.  She's one of those players that you are so glad to have on your side.  She's more than just speed."

Rachael #16

Position --  attacking midfielder

Nickname -- Ray Ray

United Experience -- 5th year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Assisting a teammate on a goal

Most Memorable Play by a Teammate -- Elena saved a ball off the line that looked like a sure goal.  She almost hit the the post.  Otherwise, we would have lost.

Favorite Quote -- "I'm not gonna lie."

Greatest Contribution to United -- overall ball skill

Soccer Hero -- Mia Hamm

Coach on Rachael -- "A complete player.  Rachael is an efficient hustler and field general.  I admire her desire to win.  It she wants the ball, she gets it."

Jessica #9

Position --  defensive midfielder

Nickname -- Jess

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite United Moment -- When I was guesting in the Bowie Tournament (June '04) and we won the shootout.  I knew this was going to be an awesome team to be on.

Greatest Contribution to United -- heading, slide tackling, running someone down

Soccer Hero -- Hussian S.--He practiced so hard and now he is an amazing player on Stone Bridge's varsity.

Coach on Jess -- "She does everything.  Sometimes spectacular, sometimes unsung, but always effective.  She was taylor-made to be a midfielder.  She's gritty, fearless, smart, and skilled.  Plus, I love how she will stand up for a teammate."

Greta #5

Position --  flank back/midfield

Nickname -- Gretski, Gretaphorst, G-Unit, Gretar, Gretchen, any G-derivatives

United Experience -- 2nd year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- competition

Favorite United Moment -- Getting 3 goals from the midfield in the first game this season

Greatest Contribution to United -- Aggressiveness

Favorite Quote -- "Tough ain't enough." --Million Dollar Baby

Coach on Greta -- "Greta is physical.  She gets a lick on anyone that comes up against her.  She is also very versatile.  I could potentially play her at any position."

Jackie #20

Position --  wing midfielder

Nickname -- Jac-Jac

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Watching us work together as a team and develop

Favorite United Moment -- The first game this fall when we won and played so well together

Most Memorable Play by a Teammate -- Zoe made an incredible diving save across the whole goal.  It was a close game.

Greatest Contribution to United -- support and cover

Coach on Jackie -- "No one pays more attention to detail and this is one of the reasons why she is constantly improving.  She is always in the right place.  A solid defender and a good supporter on the attack."

Michelle #7

Position --  flank back

Nickname -- Shelly, Shel-lay

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite United Moment -- When guest playing for United at the Bowie Tournament in June '04, I scored the final goal in the shootout.  We won and advanced to the final.  It was such a good feeling.

Favorite Quote -- "You're a beast in disguise." --Kate

Greatest Contribution to United -- Long range kicks

Coach on Shelly -- "Shelly understands when to step and can strike the ball as good as any player I've seen.  Penalty kicks are automatic with her.  Everyone loves Shelly."

Kara #11

Position --  forward

United Experience -- 3rd year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Everything!!!!!

Most Memorable Play by a Teammate -- Zoe diving across her body to make a save in a close game this season

Greatest Contribution to United -- Fast, fast, fast

Funniest United Memory -- Elena yelled "Salmonella!" at Jackie and she tripped over her own feet.

Coach on Kara -- "Kara has big play written all over her.  She has scored some of the biggest goals in United history.  But she also understands that her hustling and sacrifices set up her teammates."

Stacy #14

Position --  flank back/center back

Nickname -- Stacers, Stace

United Experience -- Umpteenth year

Most Memorable Play by a Teammate -- In game two at Virginia Beach in '04, Jess made a run in the waning seconds and volleyed the ball over the keeper and just under the bar to ice the game.

Funniest United Memory -- The infamous "Salmonella" moment

Greatest Contribution to United -- Poise and control with the ball

Coach on Stacy -- "Sometimes I think Stacy understands the game better than I do.  She is so calm on the ball.  When she finds the open space or teammate, instead of a purposeless clear, it is a beautiful thing.  Stacy can also make anyone she faces look silly with her moves."

Candice #17

Position --  midfielder/forward

Nickname -- Caanday (see El or Zoe for proper pronunciation)

United Experience -- 3rd year

Greatest Contribution to United -- Consistent touch and reliable passer.  An opportunistic finisher on the back post, where so many goals can be scored.

Coach on Candice -- "As soon as I saw Candice play at United tryouts, I knew she was a good fit.  She has tremendous touch and is very confident on the ball.  She wins a lot of tackles and can improvise to get out of a jam.  She has quietly scored several important goals for us."

Zoe #6

Position --  goalkeeper/forward

Nickname -- ZoZo, Zotophorst, Protoplasm

United Experience -- 4th year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Stuffing a breakaway (and making cupcakes)

Favorite United Moment -- Destroying the Wild Katz 6-0 after so many tight games with them.  I was very proud.

Greatest Contribution to United -- Goalkeeping in general, quickness, and she coined the name "SheeShee"

Coach on Zoe -- "Very athletic and smart.  Zoe turns up the intensity on game day.  She makes strikers think twice about taking her on.  I've coached some great keepers, but her saves fill my highlight reel.  Plus, she makes me laugh...all the time."

Katyna #3

Position --  forward

Nickname -- Tyno, Katonka, Katynkie, Tinkers

United Experience -- 2nd year

Favorite United Moment -- Winning the championship in the first two tournaments I played in

Most Memorable Play by a Teammate -- Rachael scored in the first game this season from 30+ yards out.  Sooo pretty!

Funniest United Moment -- Swimming in the kiddie pool in the back of Mr. Sheehan's truck with Stacy, Kasey, and LC.

Favorite Quote -- "I'm not gonna lie." -Rachael

Soccer Hero -- Gina and Jessie from last year's LV varsity-- they are really good strikers.

Coach on Katyna -- "So glad she joined United.  She is such a scoring threat.  Her skills and aggressiveness up front are impressive.  She compliments our other strikers so well.  Not only is she talented, but very teachable...a coach's dream."

Erin #8

Position --  forward

Nickname -- Eco

United Experience -- 4th year

Greatest Contribution to United -- Speed and finishing

Coach on Eco -- "Eco was one that came to United when I did.  I can't imagine United without her.  She is so fast and creates so many opportunities for herself and fellow attackers.  She has a long list of game-winning goals to her name.  She is also a very under-rated defender.  She is very disciplined and we can run our defensive game plan well because of her."

COMING SOON!

Kasey #2

Position --  midfielder/forward

Nickname -- Kase

United Experience -- Umpteenth year

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Tailgating at tournaments because if feels like a big family

Funniest United Moment -- Searching in the trash for my sandwich at a tournament.  I accidentally threw it away and Jess caught me.  Hey, I was hungry.

Greatest Contribution to United -- Anticipating plays

Coach on Kasey -- "The ultimate teammate.  She is deserving of anything good that comes her way.  Kasey is a great leader with wonderful fundamentals and the desire to make a play during any and all moments of the game."

COMING SOON!

Head Coach

Nickname -- SheeShee, Tommy Noland

United Experience -- 4th year

Total Coaching Experience -- VISTA United; Loudoun Valley Girls Varsity Head; Loudoun Valley Girls JV Head; LSC Shockwave Co-Head; Central Columbia High (PA) Boys JV Head

License -- United States Soccer Federation National Coaching License

Favorite Thing About Playing Soccer -- Scoring goals

Funniest United Memory -- (Tie) 1.  Kasey's sandwich incident    2.  Jackie's puddle ball throw-in

Favorite Thing About Coaching United -- Watching them congratulate each other and the way that such great friendships are made when many of these girls would have never met otherwise.

Favorite United Moment -- (Tie) 1. Winning the second game of the Old Dominion Cup in VA Beach last December.  We bounced back from a 4-0 defeat and played heroic soccer.  It was everything I knew we were capable of doing.  2.  At a recent practice, the losing team from a very intense scrimmage had to run sprints, but the winners came out and ran anyway.  This proves that this whole team is made of winners.  NEW -- 3.  Winning the St. Pat's Day tournament over the Division 1 Eagles.  We stuck to the game plan flawlessly and got the overtime winner.  The teamwork was unforgettable and the guts shown by EVERY player were legendary.  It proved that United had indeed arrived.

Favorite Quote -- (Tie) 1. "Play with a purpose." -Coach Rasmussen      2. "The man who says he can and the man who says he can't are both right.  Which one are you?" -anonymous

Kate #22

Position --  midfielder

Nickname -- Schizzle

United Experience -- 2nd year

Greatest Contribution to United -- Physical play and hustle

Coach on Kate -- "We are very happy to have Kate full time now.  She holds a high standard for herself and her team.  She fights for every ball and can usually come up with it.  She commands her field space and links up with teammates well.  I've always considered her a quality midfielder and her self-discipline should be an asset to United."

The Coaches

Jesse Sheehan

Head Coach

United Experience -- 3rd year

Credentials -- United States Soccer Federation National Coaching License

Favorite Thing About Being Coach of United -- Seeing these girls make lasting friendships when they wouldn't even know each other if it wasn't for this team

Favorite United Moment -- At a recent practice, after an intense scrimmage, the winning team earned the right to sit out the sprints that followed. Before the others began their sprint, the winning team came out and ran too.  It was the ultimate team moment. 

Favorite United Victory -- Game two at Virginia Beach in December of '04.  It was a 3-0 victory over Nike Rush that put us in the semifinals.  It proved that we can win and win decisively with a positive attitude and belief that comes deep from the heart.

Funniest United Memory -- Tie between Jackie's puddle ball and Kasey's sandwich incident

Favorite Quote -- "Play with a purpose." --Coach Rasmussen