College pair return to Atlanta; Buff Signs with Silverbacks

College pair return to Atlanta; Buff Signs with Silverbacks

3/10/2006

College pair return to Atlanta
Buff and Schneider back for second season

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Silverbacks today announced the signing of Melanie Schneider and Monica Buff. The pair returns to the Silverbacks after spending the past nine months with their NCAA Division I programs.
Schneider (Wake Forest) and Buff (Vanderbilt), both Atlanta natives, played for the Silverbacks last summer during the team’s inaugural season.

Melanie Schneider, a Powerade/McDonald’s High School All-American, finished her collegiate career this past fall and says she’s excited to get back on the field, “I am looking forward to playing with the Atlanta Silverbacks again this summer. The organization provides a great environment to train and play in and I am grateful for the opportunity to play with the team again.”

During the 2005 season Schneider played in the midfield for the Silverbacks in 12 games; Schneider stepped up to the challenge when Marci Miller-Jobson was called to the national team. The McIntosh High School graduate spent the last four years starting in the midfield for Wake Forest University. During that time she served as the Demon Deacon’s co-captain, earned All-ACC Honors and trained with the US U21 National Team (Spring 2003).

Monica Buff, a senior at Vanderbilt University, played in all 14 games for the Silverbacks in 2005. Buff helped the Vanderbilt Commodores advance to the 2005 NCAA tournament and finish with its best winning percentage of all time (.795). She has earned numerous honors while at
Vanderbilt: 2005 All-SEC Second team, 2004 All-SEC Tournament team, 2003 SEC All-Freshman team. Buff, a Parkview High School graduate, commented on the upcoming W-League season with the Silverbacks,

“I am looking forward to playing with and against some of the best players in the country. I’m also looking forward to having fun with my teammates.”

Registration for the Atlanta Silverbacks’ W-League Women’s Camp began yesterday, March 1. The camp staff, comprised of North America’s top female players, will challenge players to improve tactical skills and work ethic. Only the first 100 players to register will be accepted; teams and individuals can register online at www.atlantasilverbacks.com/camps.

The Atlanta Silverbacks Women begin the 2006 season on the road, facing the Carolina Dynamo in Greensboro, NC on May 6.