Richmond, VA – (Tuesday, May 13, 2008) – The Richmond Kickers Destiny are pleased to announce the addition of U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team defender Nikki Krzysik, pending USL/USSF approval. The Destiny are also pleased to welcome newcomers Mallory Neff, Maria Owen, Hallie Rogers, and McKenzie Vergara, all pending USL/USSF approval.
An active member of the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team, Krzysik was an integral component of the U.S team that won the 2006 CONCACAF U-20 Final Women’s Qualifying Tournament in Mexico. She also has experience at the U-19 level, making two appearances for the U.S. at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship.
A rising senior at the University of Virginia, Krzysik earned All-America honors last season, becoming the 15th player in UVA’s history to be named an All-American and the fourth to be named to the first team. Also a member of Virginia’s record setting defense, she earned her second consecutive first-team All-ACC selection after starting every game on the UVA backline and posting a career-high four goals and three assists. Krzysik made 10 appearances with the Jersey Sky Blue last season en route to the W-League Eastern Conference Semifinals and was the U-19 W-League Player of the Year with the New Jersey Lady Stallions in 2004.
A native of Clifton, New Jersey, Krzysik was named NSCAA State Player of the Year - New Jersey and NSCAA High School Scholar Athlete of the Year while attending Clifton High School. A two-time NSCAA High School All-American, three-time US Youth All-American and two-time Parade All-American, she registered 55 goals and 35 assists in three years of high school soccer and holds the Clifton record for career goals and goals in a season (21).
Joining Krzysik on the 2008 Destiny roster are defender/midfielder Mallory Neff and forward Maria Owen, both currently attending Liberty University. A native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, Neff made 10 appearances for 677 minutes with the Destiny’s Atlantic Division rivals Fredericksburg Lady Gunners last season. Owen, a rising sophomore at Liberty and native of Mount Jackson, Virginia earned a spot on this year’s Big South Conference All-Freshmen Team after recording four goals in 12 games during her first collegiate season.
Looking to add firepower to the Destiny this season is midfielder/forward McKenzie Vergara, from Chester, Virginia and Radford University. A two-time VaSID Second Team All-State honoree, Vergara finished third on the team in scoring last season with nine goals and one assist. One year prior, she led the team as a sophomore with eight goals, including four game-winners. Local talent Vergara was a two-time Central District Player of the Year (2004, 2005) at Thomas Dale High School where she helped the squad to a Central District Championship as a junior. Additionally, she helped FC Richmond Mystx to Bethesda and WAGS Championships in 2004 and four VCCL Championships.
About the W-League
Since the team’s inception in 2004, the Richmond Kickers Destiny have compiled an overall record of 30-23-4. Finishing second in the Atlantic Division in 2007 with a franchise high 9-3-1 record, the Destiny qualified for post-season play for the second time in the team’s four year history. An under-23 amateur women’s league, the W-League provides the most complete women’s player pool in the world and is recognized as North America’s best women’s developmental organization. The W-League offers the best local college and club players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.
