On Saturday Jan. 9, 2010, the WPS Bleacher Report beat writers took part in a Mock draft, simulating the first three rounds worth of picks for the upcoming WPS draft.
Each of the writers had a team [in some cases multiple teams] and got to play mock GM for a day. The mock GMs were:
Kat Galsim (Philadelphia Independence and Washington Freedom)
Kevin Albertina (FC Gold Pride)
Todd Civin (Boston Breakers, LA Sol, and Sky Blue FC)
Alondra Hernandez (Atlanta Beat)
Laura Kozak (Chicago Red Stars)
Lauren Salter (St. Louis Athletica)
It was a ton of fun for the participants as well as for those who were following. Although following the draft several of the participants were inclined to leave the general managers their jobs when it came to the draft.
“Being GM for a day was incredible. I can't believe the range of emotions that ran through me. Excitement, stress, fear. I really suspect that a real GM feels much the same. My wife laughed at me because I am normally very cool under pressure.” Todd Civin said. “At the end of the draft I had pools of sweat under my arm pits. Andy Crossley and Tony [DiCicco] can have the job. I'll remain a mock GM.”
Salter echoed his sentiments. “It is a nerve-wracking thing to have much of the soccer world watching and evaluating who you choose as a player to improve a team, even if this was a mock of the draft coming on the 15th.”
Overall, the mock draft went extremely well and everyone had a blast, whether participating or just following it live on www.twitter.com/br_wps.
The real GMs will take the stage on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 in Philadelphia for the actual WPS draft. You can follow all the draft action live at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.
Keep clicking to see who Mock Atlanta GM Alondra Hernandez took as the No. 1 overall pick.
Pictured above is Amy Rodriguez, the 2009 No. 1 overall pick. Photo courtsey of the Laguna Hills Eclipse Soccer Club.
With the No. 1 pick the Atlanta Beat have chosen...
With the No. 1 overall pick, Mock GM Alondra Hernandez chose Tobin Heath, a midfielder from the University of North Carolina.
Some highlights of Heath's career, which includes collegiate and international play:
-Was a 2009 MAC Hermann award finalist.
-Helped North Carolina to 3 National Championships [2006, 2008 and 2009].
-Was the youngest member of the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning team.
-Was the 2009 US Soccer Young Female Athlete of the year.
-Was the team's third-leading contributor in 2009 with six goals and 10 assists for 20 points.
-She led the team in assists in 2009 with 10.
-She is a member of the full US Women's National team.
Photo: UNC Athletics
With the first of two first-round picks, the Boston Breakers selected...
With the No. 2 pick, Mock GM Todd Civin chose Stanford forward Kelley O'Hara.
O'Hara's career highlights on both the collegiate and international side include:
-Helped Stanford to a 25-0 record before falling to North Carolina in the NCAA Championship game in 2009.
-Won the 2009 MAC Hermann Trophy.
-Was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2009.
-Was the top scorer in the country with 26 goals.
-Is a member of the US Women's National team player pool.
-A member of the US U-23 team in 2009.
-Was a member of the 2006 US U-20 World Championship team.
Photo: Stanford Athletics
With their first-round pick, FC Gold Pride chose...
With the third pick, Mock GM Kevin Albertina selected UCLA forward Lauren Cheney.
Some highlights of Cheney's career include:
-Is a current member of the full US Women's National team.
-Was one of three active college players on the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning team.
-Helped UCLA to College Cup semifinal appearances from 2006-2009.
-Was a finalist for both the MAC Hermann Trophy and the Honda Award in 2007 and in 2009.
-Was the Soccer America, Soccer Buzz and Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year in 2007.
-Was the Soccer Buzz Freshman of the Year in 2006.
Photo: UCLA Bruins Athletics
With their first-round pick the Chicago Red Stars selected...
With the No. 4 pick, Chicago Red Stars Mock GM Laura Kozak selected North Carolina defender Whitney Engen.
Engen's career highlights include:
-Was the 2009 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Defensive Player at the 2009 College Cup.
-Won the 2009 Honda Soccer Award.
-Led a defense that surrendered only 12 goals over the course of the season.
-Played in 105 games, starting 103 over her career.
-Transitioned to defender at the start of the 2008 season and started all 28 games after starting at forward her first two years at North Carolina.
-Played a team high 2,518 minutes en route to the 2008 NCAA title.
-Helped North Carolina to three National Championships in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
-Tri-captain in 2009.
-Is a member of the US U-23 Women's National team.
Photo: UNC Athletics
Rounding off the top five picks, the LA Sol selected...
With the fifth pick, LA Mock GM Todd Civin selected Canadian forward/midfielder Kara Lang.
Lang's career highlights on the collegiate and international side include:
-A member of the Canadian Women's National team since age 15
-Competed at the 2002 U-19 World Championships and helped Canada to a silver medal.
-Participated in the 2004 U-19 World Championship in Thailand.
-Competed in the 2003 World Cup.
-Helped UCLA to the College Cup semifinals in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
-Missed the 2006 season with an ACL injury.
-Suffered a torn ACL on Sept. 28, 2009, ending her UCLA career.
Photo: UCLA Athletics
With their first-round pick, Sky Blue FC chose...
With the sixth pick, Sky Blue FC Mock GM Todd Civin chose North Carolina forward Casey Nogueira.
Highlights of Nogueira's career include:
-Led the team in scoring for the third straight season with 13 goals, 10 assists.
-Helped North Carolina to 3 National Championships [2006, 2008 and 2009].
-Was a 2008 MAC Hermann Award finalist.
-In 2008 was the ACC Female Athlete of the Year, won the Honda Soccer Award, as well as the Soccer America and Soccer Buzz Player of the Year awards.
-Also won national awards from Top Drawer Soccer and Soccer News Network.
-Was the 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year.
-Was the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the College Cup in both 2008 and 2009.
-Scored the game winner against Notre Dame in the 2006 College Cup final.
-Is a member of the full USWNT.
Photo: UNC Athletics
With their first pick, the Washington Freedom selected...
With the seventh pick, Washington Freedom Mock GM Kat Galsim chose Florida State midfielder/defender Becky Edwards.
Edwards' career highlights include:
-Was named team captain in 2009.
-Was part of the 2008 US U-20 World Championship winning team.
-Started all 27 games as a sophomore, playing a team high 2,448 minutes
-Helped FSU to its first National Championship game appearance in 2007.
-Helped FSU to the College Cup semifinals in 2006.
Photo: Florida State Athletics
With their second pick in the first round, the LA Sol selected...
With the eighth pick, LA Sol Mock GM Todd Civin selected North Carolina midfielder Nikki Washington.
Washington's career highlights include;
-Suffered a torn ACL in against LSU on September 18th, 2009 that ended her senior season.
-Started 20 games as a junior before leaving to join the US U-20 National team at the 2008 U-20 World Championship in Russia.
-Won a gold medal with the U-20s at the 2008 World Championship.
-Was named the MVP of the 2007 ACC tournament.
-Helped North Carolina to the National title in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
-Member of the US U-23 Women's National Team.
Photo: UNC Athletics
With their third pick of the first round, the LA Sol chose...
With the ninth pick, mock GM Todd Civin chose Boston College midfielder Gina DiMartino.
DiMartino's career highlights include:
-Was a co-captain in 2009 with Kelly Henderson.
-Started all 24 games in 2009.
-Was a member of the 2008 US U-20 World Championship team that won gold in Chile.
-Is a current member of the US U-23 Women's National team pool.
-Led Boston College in scoring as a freshman and sophomore.
*Her sister Christina is a midfielder for the LA Sol.
Photo: Boston College Athletics
With their second pick in the first round, FC Gold Pride selected...
With the 10th pick, Mock GM Kevin Albertina selected Stanford defender Ali Riley.
Riley's career highlights:
-Helped Stanford to a 25-0 record going into the 2009 NCAA Championship game.
-Is a member of the New Zealand Women's National team.
-Participated 2008 Olympics in Beijing for New Zealand.
-In 2008, she led the defense to a 0.32 goals against average which was third in the nation.
-Played forward her first two years at Stanford before converting to outside back as a junior.
-Participated in the 2007 World Cup and the 2006 U-20 World Championship for New Zealand.
With the final pick of the first round, the Boston Breakers selected...
With the 11th and final pick of the first round, Mock GM Todd Civin selected Portland forward Michelle Enyeart.
Enyeart's career highlights include:
-Top Drawer Soccer National Rookie of the Year honors in 2006.
-Finishes in the record books as No. 4 in goals scored in a career with 48, No. 4 in points with 136 and No. 4 in assists with 40.
-Was a member of the 2008 US U-20 World Championship winning team in Chile.
-Helped the USA U-20 team to a silver medal at the Pan American games in 2007.
-Suffered a season-ending knee injury just before the 2009 NCAA tournament.
With the first pick of Round 2, FC Gold Pride picks...
With the 12th pick, Mock GM Kevin Albertina picked up Penn State goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
Naeher's Penn State and international career highlights include:
-Helped Penn State to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.
-Was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14, 2009.
-Was the team's MVP as a junior in 2008.
-Was a member of the 2008 US U-20 World Championship team that won gold in Chile.
-Was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
-Recorded eight shutouts over the course of the season as a freshman.
Photo: Penn State Athletics
With their first (and only) pick in the top three rounds, Philadelphia selected
With the 13th pick, Philadelphia Independence Mock GM Kat Galsim selected North Carolina goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.
Harris's career highlights in the collegiate and international ranks include:
-Is in the player pool for the full US Women's National team.
-Was the youngest member of the 2002 US U-19 World Championship winning team.
-Was also a member of the 2004 US U-19 World Championship team.
-Tore her ACL in her right knee in spring practice with UNC and was forced to miss the 2005 season.
-Rehabbed and on her first day back, tore her ACL in her left knee.
-Returned in time for the 2006 NCAA tournament, playing the second half of the final four games of the tournament.
-Split time in goal with Anna Rodenbough in 2007 and 2008.
-Was the full time starter for the Heels in 2009.
Photo: UNC Athletics
With their fourth overall pick, the LA Sol chose....
With the 14th pick, Mock GM Todd Civin chose Wake Forest forward Jill Hutchinson.
Hutchinson's career highlights include:
-Is Wake Forest's all time leading goal scorer.
-Led the team in scoring in 2009 for the 3rd consecutive season.
-Was a finalist for the Soccer News Net Women's College Player of the Year.
-helped Wake Forest to the NCAA quarterfinals.
-Started all 21 games for the Demon Deacons in 2009.
Photo: Wake Forest Athletics
With their second-round pick, the Chicago Red Stars selected...
With the 15th pick, Mock GM Laura Kozak selected University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee forward/midfielder Kate Megna.
Megna's career highlights include:
-Led the nation in assists in 2009 with 16.
-helped the Panthers to their seventh NCAA tournament appearance.
-Was the Offensive MVP of the Minnesota Gold Classic in 2008
-Tied the school record for most assists in a season in 2008.
-Redshirted the 2005 season due to an injury suffered in pre-season.
-Over the course of her career, played in 85 games starting 79.
Photo: UW-Milwaukee Athletics
With their third pick in the draft, the Boston Breakers picked...
With the 16th pick, Mock GM Todd Civin picked up University of Connecticut defender Brittany Taylor.
Taylor's career highlights include:
-She has started all but one of the games UConn has played over the course of her career.
-Made the move from being a forward/midfielder to defender her junior year.
-Started as one of the top goal scorers on the team and ended her career with All-America honors as well as Soccer Buzz first team honors.
-Is one of the top defensive players in the country.
Photo: UConn Athletics
With their first selection in the draft, the St. Louis Athletica chose...
With the 17th pick, Athletica Mock GM Lauren Salter chose Penn State forward Katie Schoepfer.
Schoepfer's career highlights include:
-Was on the MAC Hermann trophy watch list,
-Was a 2009 Senior C.L.A.S.S. Award nominee and NSCAA All-American second team.
-Finished her career with 35 goals and 20 assists
Photo: Penn State Athletics
With their second round pick, the Washington Freedom selected...
With the 18th pick, Mock GM Kat Galsim selected North Carolina defender Kristi Eveland.
Eveland's career highlights include:
-Excelled in the classroom as well as on the field, being named to several All-Academic teams.
-Was a finalist for the Lowes Senior C.L.A.S.S. award in 2009.
-Won the 2009 Elite 88 award given to the student athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competiting in the final.
-Led the team in minutes in 2006 and was among the leaders in 2008 and 2009.
-Started 104 career games while playing in 107 over the course of her career.
Photo: UNC Athletics
With their second pick of the round, St. Louis chose...
With the 19th pick, Mock GM Lauren Salter chose Boston University midfielder Emily Pallotta.
Pallotta's career highlights include:
-Earned first team All-Conference honors
-Led the team with eight goals and three assists.
-Started in all but one of her college games throughout her career
-Defensive talent balances with her goal scoring instincts, making her a double threat on the field.
Photo: Boston University
With the final pick of Round 2, FC Gold Pride picked up....
With the 20th pick, Mock GM Kevin Albertina picked up West Virginia midfielder Carolyn Blank.
Blank's career highlights include:
-Started in every game that she played in her collegiate career (91).
-Earned SoccerBuzz All-American second team, and Big East All-Tournament team honors
-Started out as a defender but transitioned into the midfield her junior year.
-Has been a member of the US Youth National teams.
Photo: West Virginia Athletics
With the opening pick of the third round, the Atlanta Beat chose...
With the 21st pick, Beat Mock GM Alondra Hernandez chose UCLA defender Dea Cook.
Cook's career highlights include:
-Started 86 of the 96 games in her Bruin career.
-Cook helped lead UCLA become the No. 1 in the country in goals against average as a junior in 2008.
Photo: UCLA Athletics
With their final pick in the Mock draft, the LA Sol selects...
With the 22nd pick, Mock GM Todd Civin selected University of Tennessee midfielder Mick Ingram.
Ingram's career highlights include:
-Led her team in points and goals scored.
-Is third in shots taken in the Tennessee's record books as of 2008.
Photo: Tennessee Athletics
With their 2nd pick in Round 3, the Atlanta Beat picked up...
With the 23rd pick, Beat Mock GM Alondra Hernandez picked up University of Southern California goalkeeper Kristen Olson.
Olson's career highlights:
-Came into her senior year as the USC career leader with an .55 goals-against-average
-Made 107 saves during her senior season.
-Was named NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2007
-Was named an All-American in 2007
-Has competed with the U23 and U20 US national teams.
Photo: USC Athletics
With their final pick in the Mock Draft, the Red Stars chose...
With the 24th pick, Red Stars GM Laura Kozak chose Rutgers goalkeeper Erin Guthrie.
Guthrie's career highlights include:
-earned Big East Goalkeeper of the Year, NSCAA All-Northeast Region first team honors , and consideration for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
-Captained her team for the second consecutive year in 2009
-Holds the Rutgers University record for career shut-outs
-In 2009 averaged a .47 goals-against-average.
Photo: Rutgers University Athletics
With their final pick, the Boston Breakers selected...
With the 25th pick, Breakers Mock GM Todd Civin selected University of Pennsylvania forward Jessica Fucello.
Fucello's career highlights include:
-Fucello finished her senior year with a 1.07 goals-per-game average, the third in the nation.
-She started 19 of their 20 games in 2009
-Was a team captain as a senior.
-Tied the school record for goals in a season with 16.
-In her career with Penn, she scored 36 goals, had 12 assists and 84 points.
Photo: UPenn Athletics
With the first of two third-round picks, Sky Blue FC picked up...
With the 26th pick, Sky Blue FC Mock GM Todd Civin picked up Boston College defender Kelly Henderson.
Henderson's career highlights include:
-Henderson served as co-captain alongside fellow prospective draftee Gina DiMartino
-Transitioned from playing in the midfield to being a defender.
-Was a semifinalist in the MAC Hermann Trophy,
-Ended her career with nine goals and 13 assists
-started 85 of the 88 games she played throughout her career
Photo: Boston College Athletics
With their final pick in the Mock draft, the Washington Freedom selected
With the 27th pick, Freedom Mock GM Kat Galsim selected Colorado forward Nikki Marshall.
Marshall's career highlights included:
-Set the single-season record for goals scored (17) her freshman year.
-Led the Buffaloes in scoring each of her four seasons.
-In 2007, Marshall played for the U-21 National Team in the Pan American games.
-Was a member of the 2008 US U-20 World Championship team that won gold in Chile.
Photo: Colorado Athletics
With their final selection in the Mock Draft, St. Louis picked up
With the 28th pick, Athletica Mock GM Lauren Salter picked up Washington State midfielder Carly Dobratz.
Dobratz's career highlights included:
-Ranking on the WSU career lists in GW goals (T-third-6), shots (fourth-137), assists (T-eighth-12) and points (T-ninth-36).
-Started in all but one game of her collegiate career.
Photo: Washington State Athletics
With the final pick of Round 3 and the Mock draft, Sky Blue FC selected...
With the 29th pick, Sky Blue Mock GM Todd Civin selected Canisius College forward/midfielder Sylvia Kowalski.
Kowalski's career highlights include:
-Kowalski has been among the team leaders in goals scored.
-She has also lead the team in game-winners scored, with three in her junior season alone.
-Kowalski lead the team in goals scored with 14, and assists with 11 in the 2009 season.
Photo: Canisius College Athletics
Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our mock draft and to those who followed. Special thanks to St. Louis Athletica Mock GM Lauren Salter for her help in creating this slide show!
Who's going to be picked No.1? What about the Top 5? Where will the top college players end up in the professional ranks?
Be sure to follow the ACTUAL WPS Draft live on Twitter at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.com on Friday January 15th, 2010 beginning at 10AM.
Photo: http://pointme.to/soccer/images/wps_logo.jpg
5 Comments
Loading comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete