The Dayton Dutch Lions FC are happy to announce the signings of Micaela Lopes, Cyara Castillo and Kasha Roberts for the 2013 W-League season.
Micaela Lopes, known as Mika, was born in Portugal and as a U19 Portuguese national player she earned a full scholarship for Young Harris University in Georgia. During the 2012 college season Mika scored 6 goals and had 1 assist as an attacking midfielder. She started every game and registered a total of 44 shots, 31 being on goal.
Coach van Druenen about Mika: “I’ve known Mika for a long time as we started our careers in the same area of Portugal, she as a player and me as a coach. I remember her playing with the boys and being one of the better players. Now, 10 years later, she has developed herself in to a great athlete, with a great attitude and international experience, and she will bring a lot of creativity to our midfield and joy to the Dutch Lions fans.”
Former Dakota Wesleyan University women’s soccer player Kasha Roberts was a three-time All-Great Plains Athletic Conference athlete during her four-year career with the Tigers. She earned All-GPAC First Team honors as a sophomore and junior in 2009-10 and second team accolades as a senior in 2011.
Roberts, a Rapid City, S.D. native, still holds school records for points (6) and goals (3) in a game and goals in a season (15) and a career (38). She had 19 assists and 95 points to go along with her 38 career goals, including 14 game-winning goals. Roberts was part of the Tigers’ run to the national tournament GPAC regular-season and tournament titles in 2009 when DWU went 17-1-4.
Coach van Druenen about Roberts:”Kasha joined us after trying out on the 17th, and impressed everybody, not only because of her work ethic and attitude, but also with her touch on the ball and decision making. Kasha will be a great fit on this W-League roster and we can use her as a winger or an attacking midfielder.”
For a radio interview with Kasha Roberts please click here.
Cyara Castillo, an Ohio local, played for the Springboro Lady Panthers and now represents Emmanuel College in Georgia. Castillo has been a starter since her freshman year and registered a total of 308 saves in 46 games, in the last three years.
Coach van Druenen about Castillo: “It was important for me to find a second goalkeeper that can challenge Brooke. With Castillo joining the W-League team, I have the certainty that we have two quality goalkeepers on the roster. Now it’s up to them who becomes number one and two.”
The Dayton Dutch Lions W-League team will play their first regular season game on the 25th of May at Beavercreek High School against the Charlotte Lady Eagles.