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Santa Clarita Re-Sign Four Core Players

02/08/2017, 2:45pm EST
By Admin

Gudgeon, Castaneda, Hernandez & McCaskill return for Summer 2017

SANTA CLARITA, CA - The 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat have re-signed four players from their title-winning side to their 2017 roster. Team captain Kelsey Gudgeon, midfielder Chloe Castaneda, forward Julia Hernandez and goalkeeper JoJo McCaskill have returned to the Blue Heat for the upcoming Summer 2017 UWS season.

“I’m really looking forward to starting this season, especially after the season we had last year,” said Gudgeon. “It was a wonderful experience becoming champions, and I think that makes it even more motivating to do well again this year and defend that title. I’m really glad to be playing with the amazing returning players from last season. They're good players and should fit right in, making it another successful season.”

Gudgeon returns to the defending UWS champions as club captain for the 2017 season. The 27-year-old was named to the 2016 All-UWS and All-West Conference Teams. The former Cal State-San Bernardino midfielder was the only Blue Heat player to play every single minute of every game in 2016 and was named the UWS West “Iron Woman” of the Year for her accomplishment.

Castaneda was selected to the All-UWS Team and was also named the UWS West Player of the Year last summer. The Blue Heat had four out of the top five scorers in the West Conference, with thanks going to Castaneda who led the team in assists (4). Chloe played in all 22 games for the No. 8 nationally-ranked UCLA Bruins this past fall.

Hernandez was named the 2016 UWS Championship Most Valuable Player, scoring two goals including the spectacular bicycle-kick game winner in the 119th minute to secure Santa Clarita the league title. The former Spanish National U-17 Team member played in 19 games alongside Castaneda for UCLA, who made it all the way to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.

McCaskill had a stellar season for the Blue Heat in goal in 2016 - making the All-West Conference Team - and it carried over to her fall collegiate season at Cal State Northridge. JoJo started all 21 matches in goal for the Matadors and was named the 2016 Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and a 2016 All-Big West First Team member.

For the latest news, signings and updates visit the team’s official website at SCBlueHeat.com. You can “Like” the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Facebook and on Twitter at @SCBlueHeat.

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.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

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. Interested team applicants can contact League Director Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

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