WEST WINDSOR, N.J. (courtesy of NJ Wildcats) - In preparation for their upcoming season opener on May 9th, the New Jersey Wildcats announced the addition of former Monmouth University standouts Amy Hoyer and Brittani Heller. Hoyer, the 2007 NEC Women's Player of the Year, and Heller, a three-year captain and Defensive Player of the Year, will join the two-time USL W-League regular season champions this spring.
“Amy and Brittani had outstanding careers at Monmouth," stated Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner. "It is terrific that they still have the passion and commitment to continue playing at the next level. We look forward to watching them compete and assisting their new team achieve its goals.”
"Amy [Hoyer] is a tremendous center midfielder," Wildcats President Kevin McDermott stated. "She plays so smart and simple. Her ability to distribute the ball, find our strikers and outside midfielders in the attack, and get them behind our opponents' defense is second to none. We are very excited to have Amy as part of our team this summer."
Hoyer made an immediate impression upon joining the Monmouth University women's soccer program in 2004, leading the Hawks with 11 points on five goals and an assist. She also earned All-NEC Second Team accolades and hit a pair of game-winning goals. She followed that up with two goals during her sophomore campaign, and she then notched 20 points on seven goals and six assists her junior year. In recognition of her stellar season, she was named to the All-NEC First Team and the 2006 All-NEC Tournament Team. During her senior season, Hoyer made the most of her last year of college, tallying 14 points on five goals and four assists. Her play as an attacking midfielder resulted in NEC Player of the Year honors, while she guided Monmouth to the 2007 NEC Championship and the 2007 NCAA Tournament for the first time in Monmouth University history.
"With Brittani being a center back, she can serve as an anchor because she sees the entire field," Wildcats head coach Dave Barbour commented. "She has definitely taken an early leadership role in training, and we will look for her to be a leader this season."
Heller was named captain for the Hawks after her first season there, and she held onto that captain band for three years. Primarily focusing on defense, she tallied four points on a pair of goals amid her rookie season, with one of her knocks being a game-winner. She followed that season up with a solid junior campaign, notching eight points on three goals (including one game-winning goal) and two helpers. She was honored for her play by being named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Year, while also getting the nod to the All-NEC First Team and NEC All-Tournament Team. During her senior year, Heller recorded seven points on three scores and an assist, while also hitting a pair of game-winners. She was selected to the NEC All-Conference Team and helped Monmouth to their first NEC championship in 11 years. After winning the conference championship, the Hawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament to play Penn State.
"What I like most about Brittani's game is that she will give everything she has all the time," Wildcats President Kevin McDermott, who first coached Heller at the age of 14, remarked. "She is a winner, someone that you want to go into battle with at any level."
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY WILDCATS
The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the W-League in 1996 and have competed every season since. Under the guidance of then-head coach Charlie Naimo, the Wildcats compiled a 41-1 regular season record from 2004-06, winning regular season titles in 2004 and 2006 while taking the W-League championship in 2005. Following the 2005 season, the Wildcats were named the USL Franchise of the Year, and Naimo won the FieldTurf W-League Coach of the Year award in 2006.
ABOUT THE USL W-LEAGUE
The USL W-League played its inaugural season in 1995, and it is recognized as the premiere development league for female players in North America. The schedule is set to open next May and commence in August.
