TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LADY LYNX LAND SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL!
Thursday, April 14, 2005 [TORONTO, ON] - The Toronto Lady Lynx added more power to their line up with the signing of Scottish International, Julia Ralph, for the 2005 season. The talented midfielder is currently a graduate student at Fairleigh Dickson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, where she earned First Team All-Northeast Conference honours scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists in her first season. Ralph, 22, has represented Scotland 14-times at the international level after earning 20 caps with the U-18 Scottish National Team and 5 caps at the U-16 level.
"We think Julia will quickly become a crowd favorite due to her playing style," explained Lady Lynx Head Coach, Brett Mosen. "She is tenacious, exciting and gives 100%. She has all the qualities a coach is looking for and I am delighted to have Julia on my roster"
Before coming to the United States to further her education, Ralph competed with the Hibernian Ladies Football Club winning the Scottish League and Cup titles and competing in the UEFA Cup Championships in 2004. Ralph attended the Lady Lynx open trials in March on the recommendation of new Lynx Head Coach, Hubert Busby Jr., a former assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson, impressing the Lady Lynx coaching staff, who signed her for the 2005 season shortly after.
"The reason I decided to play for Toronto is for extra experience to play along other international players," said Ralph. "To be part of a new team is very exciting and it will benefit me as a player. I look at this experience as a challenge. I love the game and to be able to play in the summer is amazing as we don't play throughout the summer in Scotland!...I just love football!"
LADY LYNX ADD U20 NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER
The Lady Lynx have also added another member of the Canadian U-20 National Team for the 2005 season with the signing of Oakville native, Natalie Martineau. Martineau, 17, played last season with the Dixie Blaze of the OYSL and trains with the National Training Centre Ontario. The highly successful Blaze, coached by Lady Lynx assistant, Joe Moscato, captured the Club National Championships, OYSL Championship and Ontario Cup title in 2004 and featured current Lady Lynx players, Amanda Cicchini, Deana Everrett and Robin Rushton in addition to Martineau.
"Natalie has the potential to become a regular on the National Team," expressed Mosen. "Her coming into the Lady Lynx environment, training full time with quality players and playing against the top competition week in and week out will without a doubt improve her game. This should be a big season for Natalie and we look forward to working with her."
Although Martineau has yet to earn a cap for her country, the midfielder was invited to the U-20 training camp in Vancouver, BC from February 26 to March 6, 2005 and has just returned from a 4-match exhibition tour of Nebraska with the team. Playing in her first competition at this level, Martineau was very impressive, scoring 2 goals in a 4-0 victory over Drake University and another in a 3-2 win over the University of Nebraska.
CICCHINI SELECTED FOR NATIONAL TEAM TOUR
Lady Lynx midfielder, Amanda Cicchini, has been selected as part of the 18-player roster for the Canadian Women's National Team's European Tour from April 16th to April 28th. Cicchini will have the opportunity to earn her first cap at the senior national level when the Canadians take on Holland on April 19th, World Cup Champions, Germany on April 21st and 24th and France on April 27th.
Cicchini and her Lady Lynx teammates will get their first taste of W-League action in 2005 when the London Gryphons come to town for an exhibition match on Saturday, May 7th at Bronte Athletic Field for a 2pm kickoff. The W-League regular season kicks off on Sunday, May 15th at 1pm when the Lady Lynx welcome the Vermont Lady Voltage to Centennial Park Stadium. For ticket information call 416-251-4625 ext. 31 or visit www.lynxsoccer.com
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVE NUTT -- MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 25
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