By Greg Wiley
Philadelphia Charge Correspondent
One day after not selecting a player in the WUSA Waiver Draft, the Philadelphia Charge signed Villanova goalkeeper Janel Schillig and midfielder Michelle Demko to the club's reserve roster on Wednesday. The Charge also finalized a trade with the Washington, exchanging 2002 salary cap space for the Freedom's 2003 first-round draft choice.
Schillig is now the lone player on the Charge roster to have roots in the Philadelphia region. In addition to starring for four years at Villanova, the six-foot Schillig grew up in Marlton, NJ and attended Cherokee High School. The 22-year-old goalkeeper wrapped up a tremendous career at Villanova this past season, recording a 10-6-2 record with an .886 save percentage and a school-record 0.71 goals against average. She registered eight shutouts, earning second team All-Mid Atlantic Region honors and second team All-Big East accolades.
Schillig ended her collegiate career second in the Villanova record books in saves (530), victories (39), career save percentage (.859), and career goals against average (1.17), and third in career shutouts (22.5). She also holds the school record for saves in a season with 181 set in 1999.
Demko rejoins the Charge after being waived by the club on April 1. Last season, the University of Maryland product had two goals and one assist in 16 games.
The Charge play their pre-season finale against the New York Power this Sunday, April 7 at 6 p.m. at Indian Hills High School in Oakland, NJ. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the event.
The Charge kick off the 2002 WUSA season Saturday, April 13 in Atlanta against the Beat at 7 p.m. The club then travels to New York on Saturday, April 27 to face the Power at 7:00 before making its home debut on Saturday, May 4 against the Boston Breakers starting at 7 p.m. For season ticket information call 215-467-GOAL or log on to www.philadelphiacharge.com.
