Sept. 10, 2009

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - La Salle University Women's Soccer player Kelly O'Steen, a junior midfielder, is currently playing for Team USA at the Deaflympics and, after helping the team to a 7-0 victory over Denmark with three goals, is just two wins shy of earning a Gold Medal in Football.

With the win, USA clinched Group A and will now face Great Britain in a semifinal match on Friday in Taiwan. Due to the time difference, O'Steen and Team USA will actually be playing Thursday night at 9:30 PM EDT and with a victory will advance to the gold medal game to face either Germany or Russia. That contest will take place on Sunday in Taiwan and is slated for a Saturday 9:30 PM EDT start.

O'Steen has been enjoying her time overseas and emails her Explorer teammates when she can. She has been updating them on: her team - the training sessions, her teammates, and strategies; the food - not enjoying the rice and sushi and glad she brought her own peanut butter and jelly from home; the atmosphere - the police escorts, the fans, publicity for the games, and the city; and that she is still keeping an eye on her La Salle teammates "Keep the winning streak alive" and "Miss you guys!!".

Once she returns, a full feature story will be written about her and her experiences these past few weeks. The story will be available at www.goexplorers.com and the end of the month. Follow action and stories from Taiwan at www.usdeafsoccer.com.

First known as the International Silent Games, the Deaflympics are among the world's fastest growing sports events. More than 3,200 deaf athletes and officials from 67 nations participated in the 20th Summer Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2005 and more are expected this summer in Taiwan. For more information on the organization, please visit www.deaflympics.com.