Atlanta, GA (Sept. 15, 2009) - In the First Round of the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft, the Atlanta Beat selected FC Gold Pride defender Leigh Ann Robinson, St. Louis Athletica midfielder Amanda Cinalli, and L.A. Sol midfielder Katie Larkin. In the second and final round, the Beat picked-up former Atlanta Beat WUSA defender, Sharolta Nonen, along with Swedish defender Sara Larsson of St. Louis and Sky Blue FC (NJ) forward, Noelle Keselica.

“I’m excited to have the first Atlanta Beat players as we continue the start of something special,” said Beat Owner Fitz Johnson. “Our head coach, Gareth O’Sullivan, has done a phenomenal job with the draft and we are very pleased with the results.”

When the draft began, Atlanta selected Robinson as the number one overall pick. Robinson, a defender from the Bay Area, started 15 of 20 games with FC Gold Pride and recorded a game-winner in her first professional campaign. “In watching her on several occasions last season, she was very consistent and I like the way she got involved in the attack,” said O’Sullivan. “We will be looking for her to get forward, and we believe that she will fit into our anticipated style of play very well.”

The Atlanta Beat’s second pick, Amanda Cinalli was also a strong selection. Not only was Cinalli a standout at Notre Dame, but this midfielder created much of the St. Louis attack during the 2009 WPS season. She contributed two game winning goals along with an assist and is a member of the U-23 National Team. O’Sullivan believes that “she is a very technical player with the ability to take on a variety of roles in the midfield.”

With Atlanta’s third pick, the Beat selected Katie Larkin, a midfielder/defender from the Los Angeles Sol. According to the Atlanta Coach, “Larkin has good speed and she’s quite versatile. It’s always good to have a natural left-sided player, and we intend to use her as that left back who may push into the midfield.” Larkin is BYU product who was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 WPS Draft.

Near the end of the draft, the Beat selected two experienced players in Sharolta Nonen and Sara Larsson. O’Sullivan believes, “It will be nice to have that extra experience, especially as a first year team.” Nonen is a former Atlanta Beat WUSA player who previously played with the Canadian National Team. She competed in the W-League with the Atlanta Silverbacks and FC Indiana before joining the L.A. Sol near the end of the WPS season. Larsson is a member of the Swedish National Team. She joins the Beat from St. Louis and is an Olympian with World Cup experience.

With the final pick of the Expansion Draft, the Beat selected Sky Blue FC forward Noelle Keselica. "Noelle adds depth to our attack has overseas experience," said the coach.  In 2008 Keselica played in the Swedish Premier League and was a member of the W-league Washington Freedom in 2006.

“We are very happy with the draft results,” said Atlanta Beat General Manager Shawn McGee. “We had a plan, and we were fortunate enough to draft the players we wanted.  These are the players who will compete for starting positions.”

Below is a complete list of all Atlanta Beat selections from the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft.

1. Leigh Ann Robinson (FC Gold Pride)

2. Amanda Cinalli (St. Louis Athletica)

3. Katie Larkin (Los Angeles Sol)

4. Sharolta Nonen (Los Angeles Sol)

5. Sara Larsson (St. Louis Athletica)

6.Noelle Keselica (Sky Blue FC)