Soccer: Stone Bridge JR Ashley Herndon, Former Loudoun Valley Keeper Didi Haracic, Park View Grad Tiffany Brown to Join D.C. United Women for Summer

Special to Viva Loudoun

Ashley Herndon

Germantown, Md. (May 22, 2012) - D.C. United Women added a great deal of familiarity to its 2012 roster over the last several days, signing four of the region's top college players along with one of the nation's most highly-touted recruits, all back for their second season with the Black-and-Red. Among the four, three have Loudoun ties including Stone Bridge High School junior Ashley Herndon, former Loudoun Valley High School keeper Didi Haracic, now at Loyola (Md.), and Park View High School grad Tiffany Brown, who just finished a great career at Colorado College.

In addition, the D.C. United Women roster includes former Broad Run start Holly King, now at Florida, and another former Loudoun Valley standout, Ashley Manning, now at Virginia Tech.


The first of the recent signees is 17-year-old striker Herndon, who committed to James Madison after her sophomore year at Stone Bridge, and will join the Dukes in fall 2013. She appeared in five games with United Women last season and netted one goal on 15 shots.

She started the team's regular season opener on Saturday night against the Virginia Beach Piranhas and recorded two shots. Herndon is near the top of head coach Mike Jorden's watch list for players with potential for a breakout summer.

Katie Menzie, another player with JMU connections, will be back for second summer with the Black-and-Red as well. Menzie is entering her senior season with the Dukes, so will miss playing with Herndon by one year. Menzie recorded the assist on United Women's first goal of the 2012 regular season on Saturday night, setting up a deep 18-yard blast in the 30th minute by Mikaela Howell. 

Rounding out the group of returning players are Loyola (Md.) goalkeeper Haracic and Colorado College all-time great Brown. Haracic started seven games in net for United Women in 2011 and played the first half against Virginia Beach this weekend, combining with Danielle DeLisle for the team's first shutout of the summer. Haracic recorded two saves in the match and will continue to battle DeLisle and Britt Eckerstrom for playing time as the season wears on.

Brown, one of the most dynamic players in Colorado College history, racked up 736 minutes for United Women in 2011. She finished her career at Colorado in the top five of the school's all-time list for goals and points, and is in the top ten for assists. Brown played the second half on Saturday night and did not record a shot.

The signings of Herndon, Menzie, Haracic and Tiffany Brown give United Women nine players returning from last year's Northeast Division third place club. The group of four joins Marisa Abegg, Danielle Malagari, Hayley Siegel and Jerica DeWolfe as what Jorden has repeatedly stated will be the core of the team in 2012.

 United Women won their W-League season opener 2-0 Saturday night over visiting Virginia Beach Piranhas, and are back at their Maryland SoccerPlex home hosting the Northern Virginia Majestics this Sunday, May 27. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. Tickets available at the box office, or online in advance at https://tickets.dcunitedwomen.com.