skip navigation

Carlson Sisters Sign For Grand Rapids F.C.

02/21/2017, 5:30pm EST
By Admin

Local duo bolsters the GRFC defense for the Summer 2017 season

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Grand Rapids Football Club has been busy building a competitive roster for their first-ever senior women’s side and is proud to announce that defenders Clare and Mary Carlson have signed for the 2017 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) season. GRFC will be part of the newly-formed UWS Midwest Conference and the addition of the Carlson sisters marks the halfway-point towards the completion of the team’s inaugural squad.

“The Carlson sisters will bring great stability to our team and program this year,” said GRFC Women's Head Coach Lewis Robinson. “Clare is a very versatile player that possesses great leadership skills and an understanding of what is needed to win and be successful. Mary is a powerful center back with good ability on the ball who is constantly improving. Both Carlson’s possess exactly what we are looking for in our team and will be great additions to our squad this summer.”

Clare just finished her senior season at Grand Valley State University and during her four-year career, the Lakers won three Division II National Championships and made the tournament final four times. Carlson ends her GVSU career as one of the best defenders to ever wear a Laker uniform. She was a three-time All-American and two-time Great Lakers Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Defensive Player of the Year selection, and part of the winning-est class of Lakers in program history (.926 winning percentage).

“I have dreamed of the day that Grand Rapids would have a women's soccer team, and I am so excited that it is finally becoming a reality,” said Clare Carlson. “The men’s side has been such a joyful and successful addition to the Grand Rapids community, and I am confident that the women's team will add to that success this summer. I am extremely hungry for competition and look forward to playing with a group of some of the most talented players in West Michigan--one of those players being my very own little sister, Mary!

“Having the chance to continue my soccer career alongside my best friend is such a gift. My four years playing at the collegiate level have prepared me to bring exceptional work rate and tactical skills that I hope will contribute to our success on the field.”

Mary is currently a sophomore at Central Michigan University and has played in every game for the Division I program during her first two years for the Chippewas. In 2016, she was one of 15 members of the CMU women’s soccer team to be placed on the Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team. In 2015, she started all 19 games for the Chippewas and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be playing competitively back in Grand Rapids this summer,” said Mary Carlson. “I am very excited to be playing with some of the top players in West Michigan, especially my older sister, Clare. I hope to bring grit and composure to the field along with positive energy. I am eager to see what the women’s team will add to this program and to the Grand Rapids community. I can’t wait to be back in Grand Rapids and represent my hometown!”

You won't want to miss any of the action for the GRFC Men or Women this summer. Get your season tickets today: http://grandrapidsfc.com/season-tickets-2017/.

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.

Tag(s): News |