Rush Women Featured in Denver Post (07.17.10) The Colorado Rush W-League team was recently featured in an article in the Denver Post by John Meyer. The Rush Women currently sit in second place in the Western Conference and finish their regular season tonight when they visit the Pali Blues. A win over Pali (whom Rush drew with 2-2 on June 12) will see the Rush through to the Western Conference championship game. The Western Conference champion earns the right to advance to the W-League playoffs.
To read the article on the Rush Women, click here.
More press for the Rush women: article by Brian Miller of the Great Eight Newspaper group (Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada areas).
Rush W-League Draw in Local Derby (07.09.10) (Rush first 11 vs. Colorado Force) The Rush Women played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday against the cross-state Colorado Force. The first half saw relatively few chances but Rush Goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett did stand up well when called upon. The best Rush chance of the half saw Sarah Wagenfuhr’s effort off of a corner go high over the crossbar.
The second half wan not yet a minute old when a Force player crossed the ball across the box, the ball was headed back across frame by midfielder Taylor Patterson and forward Christie Ehrhardt got a head to the ball beating Rush Goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett.
The Rush Women would answer back seven minutes later when they were awarded a corner. Ammera Abdullah played an inward bending pass towards the far post where defender Morgan Kennedy was waiting. Morgan out jumped her Force defender and smashed a header just under the bar to even the game at one.
Neither team produced more than a few half chances for the remainder of the game. The two teams will meet again on Monday when the Force will host the second game of the home-and-home series. Rush still sit in second place in the West with at least one game in hand over the remainder of the league. The top two teams in the West meet in a one game conference tournament to determine who advances to the W-League Championships.
Rush W-League Prepare for Colorado Rivals (07.06.10) Coming off their first road trip of the season (Win vs. Seattle, tie vs. Vancouver), the Rush W-League team (2-0-4, 10 pts.) now set their sights on the Colorado Force. Although Thursday’s meeting (6:00 PM, Englewood HS Stadium) will be the first game between the two teams, one can be assured that both will be looking for bragging rights as the top team in Colorado. The state ‘rivals’ will meet again 4 days later, July 12 at Loveland Sports Park.
Scouting the Force The Force currently sit in a tie for 5th place in the Western Conference with a record of 1-3-4 (7 pts) with the lone win of the year coming against Santa Clarita June 26th. The Force have struggled on the road losing at Vancouver and Santa Clarita and managing draws at both Seattle and Pali. Christie Ehrhardt leads the team with 3 goals.
A Familiar Face with the Force Many of the Rush girls will see a familiar face lining up across the pitch for the Force on Thursday. Emmalie Pfankuch, a Ft. Collins native, played with the Colorado Rush U18 and U19 National Champions the last two summers and now suits up for the Force.
AO’s Heating Up As the Summer heat continues to rise, so too does the play of Taiwanese international Tseng Shu-O (nickname A O). With 3 goals on the season, including two in a three minutes span against Vancouver to pull Rush even, A O leads the team with 6 points edging out Ameera Abdullah and Melissa Peck who both have 4 points.
Best in the West After 6 games, the Rush Women have allowed only 5 goals. They are the only team in the Western Conference allowing under 1 goal per game.
Iron Woman Central defender Morgan Kennedy is the lone player on the team to have played every minute this season. With 540 minutes played to date, Morgan is currently the Rush W-League all time leader in consecutive minutes played.
And Then There Were Three… A quick look at the league wide standings shows only three teams with a ‘Zero’ underneath the loss column. Along with Western conference foe Vancouver, only the Rush and Buffalo Flash have yet to lose a game.
The Return Of Erika Sutton Former Rush youth star Erika Sutton will be joining the Rush W-League team starting Thursday against the Force. Erika helped lead the Rush to a National Championship win (along with W-League teammates Sarah Wagenfuhr and Ameera Abdullah) with the U19 girls in 2006. Ricky spent time with the Boston Breakers of the WPS prior to her return to Colorado.
Fan Appreciation Dick's Sporting Goods will be distributing gift certificates to the first 150 fans through the gate on Thursday in the teams home finale.
Rush W-League Take Four Points from First Road Trip (07.05.10) (First 11 vs. Seattle Sounders) The wonderful northwest provided more than a beautiful backdrop to play soccer; it provided a great soccer environment. In two games over 2500 fans came out to support W-League soccer. Though the Rush Women were the visitors in Seattle, over 100 Rush fans came out to support, the majority of whom were members of Washington Rush, an affiliate club of Rush Soccer. The Sounders were excellent hosts and allowed the Rush youth girls to be ball girls and special guests for the match.
On a brand new surface in the Seattle Sounders’ Starfire stadium, the crowd was treated to a very competitive match. Both teams created chances, with the lion’s share falling to the home side in the early and very late stages of the game. One first half sequence saw multiple Seattle shots from close range get blocked by Rush defenders in a mad scramble. As the first half settled in, the Rush Women began to play a brand of soccer that they have become accustomed to. Passes were connected and the movement was consistent. First time starter, Lindsey Horan and veteran player Ameera Abdullah both played an integral role in developing Rush’s best attacks. The quality would carry over into the second half where after a throw-in deep in the Rush attacking 1/3, Kellyn Farrell was able to turn her defender, take on the keeper and slot home the first and only goal of the match. Seattle increased the pressure and poured it on for the last 30 minutes. In the end, the Rush defense held on to secure the valuable three points.
(First 11 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps) Next stop was Vancouver B.C. and after a minor blur on the radar at the U.S./Canadian border with our Taiwanese international, A O (pronounced Ow…or Tseng Shu-O), the Rush was able to set its sights on top of the table Whitecaps. This game was played on a beautiful grass pitch at Swanguard Stadium, the home of the Whitecaps. In one of the most professional environments in the league, and in front of one of the best crowds in the league, the home team was up 2-0 in the first 25 minutes. The first half belonged to the Whitecaps. Their 2-0 lead at the half was but a small token of what the home team deserved. However, the game is two halves, not one, and the Rush Women proved to be two teams on this day. A different mentality in half two showed a different side to the team which currently sits second in the table. Within 10 minutes, two goals came off the foot of Tseng Shu-O (so thank goodness crisis at the Canadian border was averted!) and it was game on. The remaining 35 minutes was an all out war. The spirit of captain Sarah Wagenfuhr spurred on the Rush Women against the seasoned Whitecaps Women. 2-2 would be the final and credit goes to both teams for the fight and perseverance put on display.
The Rush play in-state rival Colorado Force on July 8 (home at 6pm at Englewood HS) and July 12 (away at Loveland Sports Park at 7pm) in two pivotal matches as the teams make a push for post-season play.
Rush W-League Travel to Seattle, Vancouver on First Road Trip of Year (06.30.10) The Colorado Rush W-League team is set to embark on the first road trip of the year. After playing the first four games of the year in Colorado, Rush will head to the great Northwest to take on the Seattle Sounders (July 1) and Vancouver Whitecaps (July 3). Rush finished their 4 game home stand with a record of 1-0-3 (W,L,T) and sit in a tie for 4th place in the Western Conference. Rush have played the fewest games of any teams in the West.
Scouting Seattle Seattle sits in a tie for second place in the Western Conference and are coming off of arguably the biggest win in program history when they knocked off two-time defending W-League Champion Pali Blues 3-1. The Sounders have lost only 1 of their 7 games and are currently 1-1-5. Kelly Irving, Tafara Pulse and Erin Redwine sit atop Seattle’s statistical charts with 2 goals apiece. Rush drew their first game with Seattle 0-0 in the team’s inaugural game.
Scouting Vancouver Vancouver currently leads the Western Conference with a record of 5-0-2. The Whitecaps accomplished a feat no other W-League team had done in two seasons when they defeated the Pali Blues for the first time on June 19th. Vancouver then beat Pali again in their second league game by a score of 3-2. Melissa Tancredi leads the Whitecaps with 9 points on 4 goals and 1 assist. Eight different players have scored this season for Vancouver. In their previous meeting, Rush and Vancouver played to a 2-2 draw in Colorado.
The Rush Peck-ing Order Oregon State Alum Melissa Peck has played in two games for Rush and has scored goals in both games. With 4 points, Melissa leads the team in scoring and has proven to be a valuable asset coming out of the midfield, earning the game winning goal against Santa Clarita.
The Taiwan Connection Tseng Shu-O, the Chinese Taipei National teamer currently suiting up for Rush, scored her first goal for the Rush W-League team in the game against Santa Clarita. AO (oww), as her teammates call her, has played in three of the first 4 games of the season.
The Best in the West Having allowed only 3 goals through 4 games, Rush has the lowest Goals Against Average for the entire Western Conference. Goalkeepers Krissy Tribbett and Kelsey Wys have given Rush a chance to win every time they step on the field.
World Cup Predictions Prior to the start of the World Cup in South Africa, the Rush W-Leaguers made their predictions on who would hoist the most coveted trophy in the world.
Amanda Collins – Brazil Amy Steiner – Brazil Danielle Foxhoven – Spain
Jacy Drobney – Spain Kate Russell – Spain Kelly Browne – USA
Kellyn Farrell -- Argentina Kelsey Loupee – Argentina Kelsey Wys – Spain
Kerstyn Farrell – Brazil Krissy Tribbett – France Lindsey Horan – Brazil
Melissa Peck – USA Morgan Kennedy – Spain Rachel Lim – Brazil
Susanna Zorn – USA Lacey Bartels – Italy Morgan Stanton – USA
Rush W Team Celebrates First Ever Win (06.25.10) Undefeated but without a win, the Rush Women took on visiting Santa Clarita Blue Heat. Inside 10 minutes, Sara Wagenfuhr put in a ball from midfield as Melissa Peck entered the box, knocked the ball down and finished to provide a 1-0 lead. Rush would take this lead into the locker room at half time. The second half saw a couple half chances created for both teams. When Danielle Foxhoven was put in for a 1v1 with the Blue Heat goal keeper, 2-0 looked to be the only outcome, but a great save kept the same score line. But the pressure was beginning to shift and in the 75th minute, second half substitute Tseng Shu O, beat the Blue Heat defender to the end line, and after chopping the ball back against the grain, dribbled back up the field towards the top of the box before uncorking a left footed shot destined for the far upper V. A wonderful goal which cemented the first win in franchise history for Rush. Kelsey Wys gets credit for the clean sheet. The Rush Women next travel up to the great northwest to face Seattle and Vancouver on July 1 and 3. Pictures from Thursday's game against Santa Clarita are available by clicking here.
Two Time National Champion Pali Blues Equalize at the Death (06.13.10) (Rush first 11 vs. Pali Blues) After conceding an early goal against a team that has never lost a game, the Rush W-League team could have folded up shop and called it a day. But with some quality soccer, teamwork and a wonderful goal scored by Melissa Peck (Oregon State) off a quality cross from Tori Huster (Florida State), the Rush Women equalized at 1-1. The quality continued and in half number two, it was Danielle Foxhoven who showed her class with an individual effort that ended in a rocket shot and a 2-1 lead. The Rush Women dealt with everything the champions threw at them. But in the second minute of stoppage time, the Blues broke out from their own goal, just after Sarah Wagenfuhr had almost iced the game off with a bullet header, and Rush were out ran and Pali Blues equalized. Less than a minute later the game was over and the celebrations were enjoyed by the California side. The Rush Women are undefeated in three games and will next face Santa Clarita from California on June 24th at Englewood High School Stadium at 7:00pm.
To view and order pictures from the W-League game against Pali Blues, click here.
Rush W-League Draw 1-1 with Vancouver Whitecaps (06.09.10) In game number two of the Colorado Rush W-League, the Rush women played to a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps. The first half (which started over an hour late due to a lightning storm) produced few scoring chances as both teams battled for momentum. Rush would grab that momentum three minutes into the second half. A Rush corner kick saw Danielle Foxhoven play the ensuing corner to the top of the box where Ameera Abdullah collected the ball and ripped a shot to the far post beating the Vancouver keeper for the first goal of the game, and the first in Rush W-League history. The lead was short-lived as Vancouver was awarded a penalty kick four minutes later and beat Rush goalkeeper Kelsey Wys to equalize. The Rush women played quality defense the remainder of the game and earned the 1-1 draw. The Rush women will next take on 2-time defending W-League Champion Pali Blues on Saturday June 12. The game will be played in collaboration with the Rush Open this weekend. Game time is slated for 3:30 PM at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Field #24. Come out and cheer on the Rush as they look to knock off the leagues best.
Pictures from the Vancouver game can be seen here.
Rush W-League Team Ties Seattle Sounders 0-0 in Home Opener (06.07.10) On a very hot summer-like day, the Rush W-League team took the field for the very first time. Though the game ended 0-0, the game carried some excitement and intensity throughout. The Rush women withstood some early pressure from Seattle and then slowly began to take the game to Seattle. A late first half opportunity for Danielle Foxhoven was taken with great skill, only to be saved on the goal line by a Seattle defender. The second half saw the Rush women up the tempo and pressure. More chances were created, the best of which fell to Kelsey Loupee who got in on a 1v1 with the Sounder’s goal keeper, but her toe poke was blocked. Not the win the girls were working for, but a good start nonetheless. The Rush take on Vancouver (B.C.) Whitecaps, a team filled with Canadian national team players, on Tuesday night at 7pm at Englewood High School Stadium. Come support your team!
W League Team Readies for Season Opener Against Seattle (06.02.10) (Lindsey Horan doing an interview for USL Breakaway on FSC)
The Colorado Rush W-League team is finishing up final preparations for their inaugural season opener against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday June 6 at Englewood High School Stadium. The game kicks off at 2:00PM. Tickets can still be purchased by calling the Rush office, or on game day at the gate. Single game tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 18 and younger. The ‘Combo-Play’ punch pass can also be purchased at the gate on Sunday.
Scouting Seattle: The Sounders opened the W-League season May 28th with a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Force. Erin Redwine scored for the Sounders in the tie. The Sounders outshot the Force 16 to 7 in the game. Seattle goalkeeper Katie Hultin collected 3 saves while allowing 1 goal.
Dog-Day Afternoon: Sundays Home Opener will feature a very special halftime show as the Colorado Disc Dogs are set to perform. Come out and watch some of the top show dogs in the state.
RUSHing the US National Team: W-League teammates Danielle Foxhoven and Tori Huster have just recently completed a 10-day stint with the U23 Women’s National Team on a three game tour in Germany. The US took on German club TSG Wieseck, the German U23 National Team, and the South Korea U20 Women’s National Team.
Danielle collected 2 assists in the 2-2 tie with South Korea and a third assist in the 2-2 tie against Germany. Tori came on as a second half substitute in both matches.
Colorado Rush on TV: Head Coach Erik Bushey and Colorado Rush players Kate Russell and Lindsey Horan will appear on the USL Breakaway Show on Fox Sports Soccer Channel. The shows will air June 4th at 6PM, June 6th 8PM, June 7th at 6:30PM, June 11 at 12AM and June 13 at 4PM. All listed times are Eastern Time.
Following is the list of players selected from tryouts for the W-League team for the summer of 2010. There is training today at 5pm at Addenbrooke Park. (Original schedule that some saw stated 3pm at Clement. That is incorrect.)
Player selection was based upon performance (first and foremost), potential for player development, as well as ability to commit to the side (personal schedules). Once again, a very sincere thank you to all the players who attended for making our first W-League trials a success. Congratulations to the following players:
Bartels, Lacey Browne, Kelly Collins, Amanda Drobney, Jacy Farrell, Kellyn Farrell, Kerstyn Foxhoven, Danielle Horan, Lindsey Huster, Tori Kennedy, Morgan Kerridge, Brittany Lim, Rachel Loupee, Kelsey Marsh, Hayley Peck, Melissa Poletto, Molly Russell, Kate Shu-O Tseng Stanton, Morgan Steiner, Amy Tribbett, Krissy Wys, Kelsey Zorn, Susanna
Oregon State Product Comes to Colorado Rush (04.29.10) Oregon State graduating Senior Melissa Peck will be joining the Colorado Rush W-League team this summer. Peck was a key contributor for the Beavers last season and helped lead OSU to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the Sweet 16.
“I’m excited to play with some of the elite soccer players that will be on the team. I want to become a better player and hopefully contribute to the team as well," commented Melissa. Melissa was the Beavers second leading scorer in 2009 with 7 goals and 3 assists as OSU had one of the best seasons in program history.
“Melissa was a leader at Oregon State and played a key role in getting them to the NCAA Sweet 16,” said Colorado Rush Head Coach Erik Bushéy. “I expect her to bring her energetic style here and make a similar impact. I am excited to have her join our club.”
A native of Boise, Idaho, Melissa played club soccer for the Boise Capitals winning seven State Championships. She also played on the Idaho state ODP team for three years before heading to Corvallis for college. “I’m looking forward to a new environment,” said Melissa. “I’ve never really been in Denver so I’m excited to see a new city.”
Melissa and the rest of the Colorado Rush W-League team will be in action starting June 6th when they take on the Seattle Sounders. Tickets are on sale now.
Top Seminole Signs With Rush (04.14.10) Florida State’s Tori Huster has committed to play for the Colorado Rush W League team for the 2010 season. Tori is a mainstay in the Florida State midfield and helped FSU split the ACC Regular Season crown in 2009. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Tori played club soccer with the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy before going to Florida State to study exercise science. Tori’s play while at FSU has earned her national recognition and she is currently in the U23 player pool and will be with the 23’s from April 18-25 for games in the northwest against Oregon State and Portland. In addition to her outstanding on field accomplishments, Tori is also a committed student and was named to the ACC All-Academic team for the fall 2009 season.
“I have only heard good things about the new Colorado Rush W League team,” said Tori of her summer pans. “I’ve seen that Danielle Foxhoven (another player in the U23 National Pool) will be there along with other good players. Erik Bushéy and the other coaches are working hard to bring in a collection of quality players. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Tori will be one of the more experienced W League players this summer as she has played with the Boston Renegades the past two summers.
“I hope to help the team understand how competitive the W League can get. I think the west region will be a little different and it will be interesting to play some new teams,” commented Tori on her past W League play.
Colorado Rush Head Coach Erik Bushéy is excited for Tori to arrive this summer saying, “Mark Krikorian (FSU Head Coach) has told me only great things of Tori. She is a wonderful young lady and somebody who I expect to have a major impact on our team.”
Tori and the Colorado Rush W League team will kick off the 2010 season on June 6th at 2:00 PM (mountain) against the Seattle Sounders at Englewood High School Stadium.
Colorado Rush add Local Legend Foxhoven to W League Roster (04.05.10)
LITTLETON, COLORADO University of Portland All-American Danielle Foxhoven will return home to Colorado this summer to play with the Colorado Rush W-League team. Danielle played for the 89-90 Colorado Rush Nike team for many years prior to heading to Portland. During that time, Danielle led the Rush to back-to-back US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2008 and 2009. The 89-90 Colorado Rush Nike team also won 7 State cup competitions, 2 Region IV tournaments, and various national tournaments with Danielle leading the way.
“I have always loved being part of the Rush. Obviously it is really exciting for me to come back and help move the program forward,” Danielle said of her return home to the Rush. She continued, “I think the Rush have always been very innovative and have always been looking for new things to do in order to be the best. I am very excited to a part of the newest venture with the W League team.”
Danielle has made a two-year assault on the University of Portland’s storied record books. In 2009 (her Sophomore campaign) Danielle finished with 25 goals, second only to MAC Hermann Trophy winner Kelley O’Hara of Stanford. Danielle has scored 41 goals in 2 years and sits in 7th place in goals scored and 9th place (98 points) in Portland history with two years of eligibility remaining. Her performance with the Pilots has drawn plenty of attention from the US National Team and Danielle is currently in the U23 player pool.
“Danielle is one of the best goal scorers in the country,” commented Colorado Rush Technical Director and W-League Head Coach Erik Bushéy. “This separates her from most. But what makes Danielle special is who she is as a person and the many other qualities she brings to the game, such as: her loyalty, her passion, her team first mentality and her leadership.”
Danielle and the rest of the Colorado Rush W-League team will kick off their inaugural season on Sunday, June 6th when they host the Seattle Sounders at Englewood High School Stadium.
(03.31.10) Tryout dates have been set for the Colorado Rush W-League team.
Colorado Rush joins W-League Elite youth club adds franchise to begin play in 2010 USL News Release
February 22, 2010
LITTLETON, CO -- The Colorado Rush is pleased to announce that beginning in the summer of 2010, the Rush will be represented in the W-League.
Erik Bushéy, Technical Director of Colorado Rush stated, “This franchise marks the beginning of another new era for Colorado Rush Soccer. We have been blessed with a number of great female soccer players that have grown up participating in Rush Soccer. For some, this franchise will mean Rush Soccer does not have to end after U19 and college. For others, this franchise will be another source for player development and will serve as a stepping stone on their way to becoming professional players.”
Since its inception in 1997, the Colorado Rush has become one of the top clubs not only in the state, but across the country. On the girls side, the Colorado Rush has won more USYS National Championships (including the back to back champion ’89-90 girls in 2008 and 2009) than any club in the United States. The Rush also play in the ‘A’ Division of the newly formed Elite Clubs National League (one of just 40 clubs nationally) at the U15, U16 and U17 age groups. Great players have come through the Colorado Rush system.
“Without question, the Colorado Rush are one of the premier youth clubs in the country and are part of one of the top youth organizations nationally,” said W-League Director of Operations Melanie Fitzgerald. “We are thrilled to welcome the Rush as one of our newest franchises, and fully anticipate them to be natural leaders on and off the pitch in women’s soccer as they have been at the youth level.”
The likes of former US National Team member, Aleisha Rose (formerly Aleisha Cramer) and current US National Team member, Marian Dalmy grew up in Rush. Both Jordan Angeli and Sara Wagenfuhr (both Rush graduates) played in the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the list of youth national team members is extensive. Current All-American Danielle Foxhoven (Univ. of Portland) figures to be a key component of Colorado Rush’s attack this season in the W-League.
Erik Bushéy will head up the Rush W-League side. Tim Schulz, a former U20 US Women’s National Team and World Cup coach, will also be on the sideline for Rush.
“We are excited! We will be tested right from the get go. What an awesome challenge,” said Bushéy. “This team will represent the top of Colorado Rush’s pyramid on the girls side and we will do everything we can to be the very best. In looking at many of the clubs in the league, their history, their players and coaching staffs, this will be no easy task. Again, this is a wonderful challenge. The USL has afforded our club and our players the opportunity to compete at a top level. We are proud to join this great organization,” Bushéy said.
He continued, “We are excited to invite our western conference rivals, including the national champs, Pali Blues, and respected in-state rival, Colorado Force to our home and provide a great show for all the local soccer fans.”
For more information on the Colorado Rush W League team, please contact head coach Erik Bushéy.
