The Chicago Red Stars have announced the signings of Amanda Cinalli, Jackie Santacaterina, and Michele Weissenhofer to the roster for the 2012 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League season. All three players were members of the 2011 Red Stars team that reached the WPSL Finals, and each has additional Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) experience. The WPSL Elite League was created following the suspension by WPS of the 2012 season. In addition to the Red Stars, the league includes former WPS teams Boston Breakers and Western New York Flash, WPSL teams ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny and New York Fury, and Philadelphia Fever.
Cinalli, a 25 year-old forward from Cleveland, Ohio, and Weissenhofer, a 24 year-old forward from Naperville, Illinois, are graduates of Notre Dame, where they were team captains and honored as All-Big East selections during their college careers.
“This team was such a unique group last year,” remarked Cinalli, who has previously played for Saint Louis Athletica and Atlanta Beat of WPS. “We had an unbelievable chemistry within that made it easy to want to put in the hard work and dedication to succeed while having a lot of fun at the same time.”
Weissenhofer, who has made Chicago her permanent home, is pleased that there is still a local competitive team that she can continue to play for. She was drafted out of college by the Red Stars WPS team in 2010.
“My life is in Chicago,” she stated. “To be able to do what I love in my home city, surrounded by my friends and family, is very unique. I am so fortunate to have a team like the Red Stars to play for while at the same time pursuing my professional business goals.”
Jackie Santacaterina, a 24 year-old midfielder/defender from Geneva, IL, played collegiately for the University of Illinois, where she was an All-Big Ten selection and served as team captain. Along with Cinalli and Weissenhofer, she was an All-WPSL First Team selection last season. She was also drafted by the WPS Red Stars in 2010.
“I can’t wait to get back playing with the girls again. Last year was such a competitive and fun environment because of the awesome personality of our team,” she mentioned. “It’s unfortunate WPS will not be playing this year, but I can’t wait to play with the additional talent and character that’s been added to the team this season.”
