Oct. 8, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Seven former members of the University of North Carolina women's soccer team have been chosen at this date by teams that will begin play next year in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Five were chosen in the initial allocation of players from the U.S. National Team and another two were picked from the WPS General Draft.

In the U.S. National Team allocation Carolina players were chosen by five different teams, in most cases reflecting proximity to where that player went to high school and played youth soccer.

The choices from that group were Kristine Lilly to the Boston Breakers, Lindsay Tarpley to the Chicago Red Stars, Heather O'Reilly to the Sky Blue FC (New Jersey), Lori Chalupny to St. Louis and Cat Whitehill to the Washington Freedom.

In the WPS General Draft, Kendall Fletcher was taken by Los Angeles and Kacey White was picked by Sky Blue FC. Fletcher was a second-round pick and White was taken in the third round.

Charles Naimo, general manager of the Los Angeles team, said of Fletcher, "Kendall is a winner. I have been with Kendall for 3 seasons ( 05, 06 and 08) and together we have won 2 regular season championships and 2 league trophies in the W-League during that time. She is a versatile player that can play outside or center back and also provide support in the holding midfield position, if needed," said Naimo.

"Most important she is a great teammate and nobody prepares better," he added.

Sky Blue FC Head Coach and General Manager Ian Sawyers commented on his two new players. "Obviously with both Heather and Kacey coming to Sky Blue F we are comfortable with their level of both college and US National team experience. Their exposure to worldclass coaching at every level at which they've played will provide us with a great head start as we move forward in the new Women's Professional Soccer leage. Both have become personality players and we expect them to impose themselves, and leave a great footprint on professional soccer."

Anson Dorrance had this to say about O'Reilly and White. "What sets apart an elite player is their production, and as a flank midfielder, with her number of goals and assists, Kacey White was wonderfully productive at UNC. What everyone loves about Heather is hard she works. She is a bundle of energy, and creates havoc with her 1 v. 1 ability, her speed and her energy."

TarHeelBlue.com will have further coverage about UNC's new players in WPS at a future date. Check back for updates.