May 15, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. - Kendall Fletcher has recently been named an assistant coach for the UC Irvine women's soccer team by head coach Scott Juniper.  Fletcher is the newest member of the Anteaters' coaching staff and will join head coach Scott Juniper and assistant coach Justin Neerhof as they prepare for the 2007 Fall season.

Fletcher comes to Irvine from North Carolina where she recently graduated from the University of North Carolina in December of 2006.  Fletcher played on the UNC women's soccer team from 2002-05.  During her career as a Tar Heel she won 3 ACC championships and started on the backline of the 2003 team that won the NCAA title going 27-0-0 for the season.  Fletcher was also a member of the U-19 Women's National Team that won the first ever U-19 World Cup in 2002.  Fletcher has also been to two Nordic Cup Championships with the U-21 National Team winning the championship in 2005 and acting as the team captain in 2006.  Fletcher is also a member of the U.S. Women's National Team player pool having trained with the team during residency this past year.  Kendall is still actively pursuing her playing career as she hopes to make a run for the Olympic Team roster in 2008.

Coach Juniper describes Kendall as "an excellent addition to our staff who will compliment Justin and myself extremely well.  She is a great role model for our players in every way and is passing on her knowledge and experiences to the team every day.  Her passion for the game is infectious, her energy is endless and her hugely competitive spirit is contributing to a special culture we are building here in the UC Irvine Women's Soccer program."

"I am so excited to be here at UC Irvine," Fletcher said.  "This is a completely new challenge for me and it is one that I am eager to take on.  I am thoroughly enjoying the team and the staff and just can not wait for the season to start."