3 players from the NHB Girls 1996 National Championship team honored

From left to right Kim Engesser (Striker), Kristen Palmer (Franzese) (Stopper), George Mitton(Club President) and Jenny Benson (Midfielder)

The 1977 born Girls team was the most successful team in the club's history. This team was put together in 1990 by Jan Engesser (coach). They won the bronze league that year in CSL. Jan then asked George Mitton to come in and help prepare them for National Cup and the rest was history. All 3 of these girls went on full scholarships to college.

Team Accomplishments

4 time winner of NHB Tournament 
(U14, U15, U17, U19)
6 state championships (U13, U14, U15, U17, U19, U-19) 
3 regional championships (U14, U19, U19) 1 Regional runner-up (U17)
1 National runner-up (U19) 
1 National Championship (U19)

The following is the bios of these three fine players:

Jenny Benson:  Coach Mark Krikorian on Jenny: 
"Jenny is arguably the best outside back in the league."

2002 WUSA Season: 
Earned Second-Team All-WUSA accolades and was voted a starter for the North All-Stars … Was a finalist for the league Humanitarian of the Year Award … Appeared in 19 of 21 games, starting 18 and registering three assists … Her nicest assist of the season came against Boston on May 4 when she nutmegged Breakers’ star Maren Meinert along the end line off a short corner kick and dished a pass to Jen Tietjen in the box for a game-tying goal … Missed one game because of injury (8/7) and another because of U.S. National Team duty (7/20) … On 6/1 appeared as a substitute, marking the first time in her Charge career that she did not start a game she appeared in … On 6/29 became only the second Charge player to start 30 games with the club … On 7/27 against Boston, surpassed the 3,000 minutes played plateau for her career.

2001 WUSA Season: Started a team-high tying 20 games and played 1,720 total minutes, the second highest total on the club … Finished the season with four assists … She played 90 or more minutes in each of the final 12 games, including the postseason. In total, she played 90 minutes in 17 of the 21 regular-season games last year … Underwent off-season arthroscopic surgery on both knees.

US National Team: Is being considered for the Women’s World Cup team that will compete at the end of the season in China … Made her first career appearance with the national team on Jan. 11, 2001 vs. China in Panyu … Earned her second cap with the team on July 21, 2002 as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Norway in Blaine, Minn. … Earned first WNT start and registered first assist on Sept. 8, 2002 in 8-2 win over Scotland in Columbus, OH … Invited to camp for the 2002 Nike Cup (9/25), made Gold Cup roster after an injury to a defender, did not play in first or second game … A member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team Pool from 1996-97 … Played in four games and started two for the U-20 team in 1997.

College/High School: Played at the University of Nebraska from 1996-2000 … A four-time first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and four-time Big 12 All-Tournament team pick … Started 91-of-92 games and finished as Nebraska’s all-time leader in assists with 47 … Finished career ranked fifth all-time in points (99), sixth in goals (26), second in games played and tied for first in starts … High School: Attended Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. … Led Marina to the California Interscholastic Federation and Sunset League championships from 1993-95 … Marina was 61-0-3 during that span and finished with a No. 3 national ranking in 1995 … As a senior, she was voted the CIF Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team Los Angeles Times, first-team Orange County Register and Sunset League MVP honors … Also participated in track & field for two years.

Personal: Graduated from Nebraska in December 2000 with a degree in communication studies ... After her first season with the Charge, Benson worked part-time at Old Navy because she was bored … Was honored with the 2002 Extra Effort Award by David Akers’ Kicks for Kids (9/24). Akers is the field goal and place-kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Kristen Palmer
After leaving the NHB ranks Kristen went to Northwestern University on full scholarship and she did this even with two knee surgeries during her soccer career. The first was in 1991, back playing within a month (arthroscopic surgery). Second was in 1996, back playing in 4 months (ACL reconstruction). After graduating from Northwestern she applied to Clemson University and was hired as an assistant coach for the next 4 years (2000-2004). She has since married and living in Atlanta, GA. She currently is a Loan Processor and District Recruiting Coordinator for Well Fargo Financial.

Below are her achievements in soccer.

 

Kim Engesser
Kim was NHB's scoring machine for the seven years she played with the club. She was highly recruited by the University of Portland which at that time was ranked No. 2 in the nation. Unfortunately after two years of playing the college coach had decided to make her a defender and Kim had to make her toughest decision of her young career. Stay with Portland or transfer to the University of Nebraska (ranked No. 18) knowing she would play a striker once again. Also the fact that two NHB teammates were playing with Nebraska helped with her decision. Kim with the advise of others that she had known in soccer decided to transfer to Nebraska. In the two years that she had played with the college they moved to there highest ranking (No. 6). Kim must of had something to prove that year because she led all scorers in NCAA division 1 with an unbelievable 26 goals.

Below are her achievements in soccer.

High School Parade all-American 
University of Portland '95-'96
University of Nebraska '97-'98 1st team all big 12 '97-'98, 1st team academic all big 12 '98, Big 12 player of the year '98, NCAA Division 1 all American '98, NCAA Division 1 leading goal scorer '97 (26), B.S. in physical education from Nebraska, M.A. in sports management from CSULB.
US U-20 National Team '96   WUSA drafted to Atlanta Beat 2001 
Currently: PE teacher at Spring View Middle School, District sports coordinator and coach, Founder and director of S.T.A.R.S. Soccer Camp
NHB's Tournament Director