Mutiny Add Five More

Carrie Patterson (in white uniform) is one of five players that signed on with the Mutiny for the upcoming season.

With spring rapidly approaching, the New England Mutiny added five more players to its roster as it prepares for its first season in WPSL Elite.

Defender/midfielder Kelsey Hood, defender Ciara McCormack, forward Carrie Patterson, defender Ella Stephan and midfielder Kate McCarthy were announced as the team’s latest additions on Tuesday.

Hood spent the 2011 season with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ women’s team, where she donned the captain’s armband and played in all but 10 minutes of her team’s matches. Prior to that, she played professionally for FK Donn (Norway), where she also served as skipper in 2010.

“Not only was Kelsey captain of her college team and W-League amateur team, but she was also captain of a foreign professional team,” said New England Mutiny Owner Joe Ferrara in a statement. “That shows incredible leadership. Having played in all but 10 minutes last season, Kelsey is a definite building block.”

McCormack, who earned her first cap with the Ireland National Team in 2008, has played in Denmark and Canada. During her time with the Ottawa Fury (2007-08), her experience and leadership earned her the club captaincy.

“Ciara brings a wealth of international experience to the Mutiny, but what impresses me the most is her passion for the sport of women’s soccer,” said Ferrara. “That kind of enthusiasm and professionalism is infectious and will make this team that much better.”

Patterson, who was the fifth round pick of the Philadelphia Independence in 2010, was with the Independence and Atlanta Beat in 2010 before moving onto the Whitecaps’ women’s side in 2011. At the collegiate level, she scored a school-record 44 goals at the University of Georgia from 2006-2009.

“I met with Paul Riley (Head Coach, WPS Philadelphia Independence) about Carrie and he told me it was a no-brainer,” said Ferrara. “After I talked to Carrie on the phone for ten minutes, I knew why. We have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer the last few seasons, so to get one from WPS fills a big void.”

Stephan, who played in 77 games for Florida State University from 2008-11, also featured for the Pali Blues and Boston Renegades. On the national team level, she’s been a member of the U.S. Women’s National team U-17, U-20 and U-23 player pools.

“Ella played college soccer at one of the nation’s best programs and is on the United States Under-23 National Team, but one thing stood out to me,” said Ferrara. “As a defender, Ella pointed in three games against North Carolina – all resulting in game winners. Big time players come up big in big games.”

McCarthy spent the 2011 season with WPSL rival CFC Passion, where she earned All-WPSL Second Team honors. The Longmeadow, Mass. who will enter her junior year at Boston College in the fall, started in each of the Eagles’ 21 games last year.

“I remember seeing Kate for the very first time as a freshman in an NCAA Tournament match,” said Ferrara. “I thought she was the best player on the pitch that day. Kate is a natural destroyer with great vision who can also link up an offense.”

With five more players on board for one of the team’s most important seasons to date, Ferrara believes that there’s a solid foundation in already place with the 2012 campaign expected to kick off in May.

“I think today’s signings are a great base for us,” said Ferrara. “We signed a WPS player, foreign professional, international team member, a player from one of the U.S. National Teams and one of the top college players in the country. It’s a great start.”