April 28, 2008

WASHINGTON - Former Eagles standout Anabel Jimenez was hired as the second assistant coach for the American University women's soccer team, head coach David Bucciero announced on Monday. Jimenez was a two-time captain and four-year starter at AU (2000-04) and has most recently spent time as an assistant coach at George Mason. Jimenez will join Bucciero and current assistant Valerie Rauenzahn on the sidelines in 2008.

"There is no doubt in mind that Annabel is a great addition to our staff and we welcome her back to our AU family," Bucciero said. "She is a fantastic player that will be a great role model for our current players. In addition, she gained a lot of experience as an assistant at George Mason and I look forward to continuing to help her grow as a coach."

Jimenez served as a volunteer assistant at George Mason since January 2007, and assisted in practice and game day preparation, official visit planning and monitoring and coordinated team travel. She was also responsible for all community service projects. Jimenez also served as the Assistant Director for Drake Soccer Camps.

Jimenez is a native of the Washington D.C. area and played four years of high school soccer at Bullis High School in Potomac, Md. and was named All-Met before matriculating to American University where she was a four-year starter and two-year captain. In 2002 and 2003, she was named All-Patriot League and she was selected team MVP both seasons. She played club soccer for the Bethesda Scorpions, winning seven state titles. She also played two years for the Free State United. She was a member of the Olympic Development Program for seven years and was selected to Regional Camp each year. Her team was finished second at Nationals in 1998.

After American, she played semi-professional for the Maryland Pride and Northern Virginia Majestics and professionally for the VFL-Wolfsburg team in Germany. She is currently in her second season as a member of the Washington Freedom and she coaches the WAGS Bethesda Renegades and the Classic MSI Renegades, both U-15 girls' teams.

Bucciero also named team captains for the 2008 season, as Lindsey Miller, Erin Koch and Erin Stebbins earned the distinction.

"Our team has selected three great leaders that will do an outstanding job as captains of the team next year," Bucciero said. "All three of these players have great leadership qualities and I am excited to work with them on our journey to achieving our goals next fall."

The Eagles will open their 2008 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 23, when they host cross-town rival Georgetown at 1 p.m. at Reeves Field.