Philadelphia, Pa. (January 15, 2010) – The Boston Breakers selected nine players in the 2010 WPS Draft, held today as part of the NSCAA Annual Convention. 

With their first pick (#2 overall), the Breakers selected UCLA forward Lauren Cheney.  The 2008 Olympic Gold medalist became the first player in UCLA history to earn NSCAA All-America honors all four years of her college career.  The Indianapolis, Ind. native was named a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2008 and finalist in 2007, 2008, and 2009.  The senior finished the 2009 season ranked second on the team in scoring with 46 points (18 goals, 10 assists), while leading the Bruins to the school's seventh consecutive appearance in the NCAA Women’s College Cup.  Cheney will leave her name in the UCLA records books, ending her career ranked first in points (2008), game winning goals (2008), single season points (2007), single season goals (2007), and freshman goals (2006). 

“I believe Lauren was the best pick in the draft,” said head coach Tony DiCicco.  “She is an outstanding player who reads the game well.  She has the ability to play in the tightest spaces, especially in the penalty area and we were lacking that last year. “

“I am so thrilled to be in Boston,” said Cheney.  “I’m excited to be part of Tony’s team.  He is a legend in the game.  To be able to play with big names like Kristine Lilly and Amy LePeilbet, this is such an honor.” 

Boston completed the first round by selecting Penn State goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (#11 overall).  The Seymour, Conn. native was on the 2009 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy watch list and a two time NSCAA First-team All-American.  Naeher made history by becoming the first ever Penn State World Cup Champion after playing on DiCicco’s U.S. Under-20 National Team in 2008.   

“Alyssa is a talented and athletic goalkeeper who has the ability to make fantastic saves,” said DiCicco.  “She is in the U.S. Women’s National Team pool and will challenge Ali Lipsher and Ashley Phillips in net.”

The Breakers selected two Santa Clara defenders in the second and third rounds by selecting Jordan Angeli (16th overall) and Katherine Reynolds (34th overall) respectively.  In addition to playing together at Santa Clara, Angeli and Reynolds recently trained with Breakers’ goalkeeper Allison Lipsher at the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team training camp from December 13-20, 2009. 

“I am overjoyed and so excited to be a Breaker,” said Angeli.  “I know I will be in great company with Tony DiCicco.  There is a huge opportunity to grown and learn.  I’m excited to come to Boston.”
 

“Jordan is a big time player; both skillful and tactical,” said DiCicco.  “She has great leadership qualities.  Jordan can come out of college and step into the pro environment.”

In the fifth round, picking 43rd overall, Boston took Loyola University Chicago forward Cynthia Morote-Ariza.  The Chicago, Ill. Native was named the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, named to the All-Horizon League First Team in four straight season, and will graduate after breaking six school records. 

Nebraska University defender Carly Peetz was the Breakers’ fifth round selection.  The Lincoln, Neb. Native was named to the pre-season All-Big 12 team in 2009, second-team All-Big 12 in 2008.  Peetz is a member of the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team. 

Boston selected two local collegiate players in the final two rounds.  Los Angeles Sol traded their 56th pick for future considerations.   With that pick in the sixth round, the Breakers chose Gina DiMartino, a forward from Boston College.   In the seventh round (61st overall), the Breakers selected Casey Brown from Boston University.  The 5-7 defender became the first player in conference history to earn the America East Defender of the Year award in three straight seasons. 

“There has always been a BU-BC rivalry but I have respect for the BC organization and respect for Gina,” said Brown.”  I’m excited we are now playing on the same side.  As a kid from Natick, Mass. I’m ecstatic.  I’m excited to have my friends and family be able to watch my play in Boston.” 

For the second year, the Breakers had the last selection in the WPS Draft.  With the 65th pick overall, the Breakers selected University of Defender forward Taryn Hemmings.  The Greeley, Co. native was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2008 and ended her career as Denver’s second all-time career scoring leader with 112 points on 42 goals and 28 assists. 

After losing players to 2010 WPS Expansion Draft, DiCicco went into the day looking to fill some positions in the roster. 

“I felt that we filled the specific needs we were looking for today; players who could score goals and filling the holes left by lost players, including central midfield, defense, and attacking center midfield,” said DiCicco.  “We did our homework and found players who could step in and impact right away.  It’s not easy coming out of college.  We will be better than last year.” 

“I’m happy we got the players the coaching staff identified at the top of the draft,” said General Manager Andy Crossley.  “We came out with the two players we went in hoping for.”
 

“I’m very delighted with the draft and look forward to the 2010 season,” said Managing Partner Michael Stoller. 

Boston Breakers 2010 WPS Draft Selections

#2: LAUREN CHENEY (UCLA)
#11: ALYSSA NAEHER (PENN STATE)
#16: JORDAN ANGELI (SANTA CLARA)
#34: KATHERINE REYNOLDS (SANTA CLARA)
#43: CYNTHIA MOROTE-ARIZA (LOYOLA-CHICAGO)
#52: CARLY PEETZ (NEBRASKA)
#56: GINA DIMARTINO (BOSTON COLLEGE)
#61 CASEY BROWN (BOSTON UNIVERSITY)
#65: TARYN HEMMINGS (UNIVERSITY OF DENVER)