Sept. 19, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova women's soccer team is joining with the U.S. Youth Soccer Association to celebrate Youth Soccer Month at the Wildcats home game this Sunday afternoon against the University of Pennsylvania. The game begins at 3 p.m. and is the second game of a soccer doubleheader. In the opener, the men's soccer team hosts BIG EAST Conference rival Notre Dame at Noon. Both games will be played at the West Campus Soccer Complex.

Several local youth teams have been invited to the game to participate in pre-game activities and exciting in-game promotions. In addition to having the chance to win Major League Indoor Soccer tickets, the visiting teams can win gift certificates, t-shirts and more. The Villanova players will sign autographs and pose for pictures following the game.

"Having youth teams at our game this weekend will make for a great event as we take part in helping celebrate Youth Soccer Month," Villanova head coach Ann Clifton said. "Our team has been committed to hosting community events such as this one and at the same time it is also exciting for us to be able to showcase the high level of collegiate soccer that is being played in this area."

Community service and programs such as the one this weekend are a central part of the women's soccer experience at Villanova. The team is actively involved with several campus organizations that do work in the community and have joined other women's soccer teams in the Philadelphia area to host soccer clinics for kids.

This weekend's Youth Soccer Day at the Wildcats game marks the second straight year that Villanova will host an event related to Youth Soccer Month on campus. Last season, the U-10 team from the Marple Newtown Soccer Association came to campus to take part in a clinic and question-and-answer session with the Wildcat players.

For more information on community service programs that the women's soccer team is involved with, click here.

Youth Soccer Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of playing Youth Soccer in America. Villanova University is proud to support this effort and further the goals of the month. An initiative of the USYSA, Youth Soccer Month emphasizes the following goals:

1) Emphasize soccer as the number one youth participation sport in America and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families.
2) Bringing kids and families of all ages and all abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness.
3) Highlighting the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs.

A series of fun-filled messages will be communicated throughout Youth Soccer Month to illustrate the essence of youth soccer. Each week during Youth Soccer Month a different message will be the focus of "Celebrating Soccer in America." The four messages of Youth Soccer Month are:

Fitness: The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer
Fun: Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding
Family: Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and family time are coordinated
Friendship: The relationships generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field

Villanova has joined forces with US Youth Soccer in supporting Youth Soccer Month. Spreading the benefits and impact soccer has had on millions of Americans is very important to both organizations. Please take a minute to spend time with your family and friends this September to experience and support this great sport that has impacted so many lives.

Interest in the sport of soccer is at an all-time high in the United States, with more than 19 million children ages 5-19 playing soccer regularly. In fact, more children are participating in organized soccer than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League baseball.

Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer plays in the day-to-day lives of America's families is vital to the future of the sport and to the success of the USYSA. The nation's largest youth sport organization is leading Youth Soccer Month with those ideals in mind.

For more information on Youth Soccer Month, visit www.YouthSoccerMonth.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer): The Game for ALL Kids! Is the largest youth sports organization in the county and the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually between the ages of five and 19. In addition, over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers participate in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.