EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Two decorated collegians lead the list of returnees as the Colorado Pride women’s squad announce the first batch of player signings for the fast approaching inaugural 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) pro-am season. The Pride will open their UWS West campaign on Sunday, May 22nd when they travel to Parker, CO to face off against in-state rival Colorado Storm at Sports Authority Field (7:00 PM MST kickoff).

POS. - NAME - HOMETOWN - COLLEGE (LAST TEAM)
F - Michaela Abam - Houston, TX - West Virginia Univ. (Colorado Pride)
F - Kaitlyn Johnson - Torrance, CA - Washington State Univ. (Colorado Pride)

Abam led the Big-12 Conference regular season champion West Virginia Mountaineers with 12 goals last fall and completed her sophomore season with 44 career points, while setting the single game all-time scoring mark with four goals against Villanova. The Big-12 First Team forward returns to the Pride looking to take an offensive leadership role in an effort to replace the scoring punch the team loses as last season’s W-League scoring leader and MVP Tara Andrews has moved on to the Australian Women’s National Team.

Johnson also recorded a successful 2015 college campaign as she led the Washington State Cougars in scoring with seven goals and six assists. Kaitlyn earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Second Team All-Pacific Region honors to go along with her Second Team All-Pac 12 selection. The Torrance, CA speedster will enter her senior year in the fall and comes back to the Springs hoping to build on her five goal, two assist output in 2015 for the Pride.

The Storm will return the favor and travel to Colorado Springs on Sunday, June 5 to kick off the home portion of the Pride schedule (3:00 PM MST). Tickets for home matches at Colorado College’s Washburn Field can be purchased at the gate or at the Pride Soccer Club offices.

Colorado Pride fans can follow the progress of their favorite team during the season via the Sport Ngin Mobile app. To install this mobile-friendly app for Apple & Android, simply click HERE and input the Pride Team ID number “1391700”.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. EDP serves as UWS administrators and will be facilitating schedules, disciplinary procedures, etc. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.