Former Gopher Captain Kelsey Hood Leads Vancouver Whitecaps W-League Team into Playoffs

Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Bob Frid

Last summer, former U of M defender Kelsey Hood was in Europe playing in Norway’s women’s Toppserien or premier division for FK Donn. This season she’s playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL W-League team. While Vancouver may be closer to her home than Norway it’s still a long ways from Ankeny, Iowa where she grew up. But playing anywhere is just fine with Hood, as long as she is able to compete professionally playing the game she loves.

“Donn is a new team in the top division and we are not expected to stay alive in the top league for more than this year,” said Hood from Norway before the season began in 2010.

Hood was right. The team struggled, finishing 9th in the league and was relegated to Division 1 this season.

Hood moved to Vancouver where she quickly demonstrated the leadership skills she showed with both the Gophers and with FK Donn. Even though Hood was a newcomer to the Whitecaps who won the W-League Western Conference in 2010 and finished 2nd in the Championship game, her leadership qualities were apparent. Head coach Hubert Busby Jr. named Hood captain in May.

“Whitecaps FC have a long history of success and I have followed them throughout my career,” said Hood. “Some of the greatest players in the world have played for this club and to be named captain is a huge honor.”

“Kelsey is a model professional with an impressive college career who our young players will learn from,”  Busby told WhitecapsFC.com before the 2011 season started.  “She has a wonderful work ethic that should set the standard for our team, as we progress through the season and into the playoffs. Her determination is undeniable, and should help our squad in reaching its ultimate goal of a league championship.”

Hood has done exactly that – helping to lead her team back to the playoffs while being named to the All-Western Conference team as well as Co-MVP of the Whitecaps. Hood knocked in the winning goal against the Western Conference leaders, the Santa Clarita Heat in California last Sunday, despite being a man down. Hood scored in dramatic fashion slamming home a rebound in the 87th minute to give her team the 4-3 win and the Western Conference Championship.

The Whitecaps will enter the playoffs for the seventh time in their history, winning the title in 2004 and 2006. Vancouver head into this Friday evening’s semi-final after finishing the regular season with a 8-2-4 record.

The Whitecaps now play the Atlanta Silverbacks on Friday in the W-League semifinals at Tukwila, Wash. The Ottawa Fury, who are undefeated this season, will play the host Seattle Sounders in the other semifinal game. The final will be played on Sunday evening.