Two up-and-coming South Surrey soccer stars are back in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ fold, after helping Canada win a silver medal at 2012 CONCACAF U20 women’s championships last month.
Striker Jenna Richardson and midfielder Nicole Setterlund were both added to the Whitecaps United Soccer League W-League roster April 5, along with midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki of Coquitlam.
All three were part of Canada’s team that finished second at U20 championships in Panama in March, thus qualifying for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup.
Richardson, a Semiahmoo Soccer alum, returns for her third season with the Whitecaps; last season she scored five goals in eight appearances with the team. She has also starred with the Oregon State University Beavers the last two seasons.
“Jenna brings a very explosive attacking threat to the squad,” said Whitecaps head coach Jesse Symons. “She did very well in the W-League last year and we expect her to have an even bigger impact in 2012.”
Setterlund, 19, also enters her third season with the Whitecaps after playing in three games last year. The South Surrey native recently finished her first year at Washington State University.
“Nicole had a fantastic freshman year at Washington State,” said Symons. “We look forward to having her bring a strong presence to the team.”