Manya Makoski signs with 2011 WPS Champions WNY Flash

The Western New York Flash of Women’s Professional Soccer is excited to announce they have signed defender Manya Makoski for the 2012 WPS Season. Makoski, 27, will return to the WPS for the Flash after spending the 2011 season playing for Thor in Iceland where she started 22 games for the club. She also competed for Thor in the UEFA Champions League, eventually falling to Turbine Potsdam who were runner up in Europe this past season. 

Makoski was a member of the Los Angeles Sol, who were the WPS Regular Season Champions in 2009. The Connecticut native was an integral part of the LA Sol’s success, appearing in 17 matches for the club. Makoski was selected in the WPS General Draft in the third round after completing a successful career at Arizona State University where she finished third all-time in game-winning goals (9), second all-time in assists (22) and fifth all-time in goals (24)  and was the fifth player in ASU history to record 70+ points. She was named All PAC 10 Conference Second Team in 2005 & 2003 and garnered first team accolades in 2004. She was named to the All PAC 10 Rookie team in 2002 and named Soccer American Freshman All-American and a Soccer Buzz first-team Freshman All-American. Prior to joining the Sol, Makoski played for the Connecticut CT Plus in 2007 & 2008 in the WPSL where they were the 2007 East North Champions. After winning the Regular season Championship with the LA Sol, Makoski was selected Ninth overall by the Atlanta Beat in the Los Angeles Sol Dispersal Draft for the 2010 WPS Season as the franchise ceased operations. Makoski missed the 2010 season after suffering a season ending injury during preseason with the Beat.

In addition to her experience in the WPS and Europe, internationally Makoski was a member of the U.S. U-19 & U-21 National teams, capturing a FIFA World Championship as well as three straight Nordic Cups Titles.

“Manya had a very good season for Thor in Iceland and will look to build upon that this upcoming season for the Flash. She is a versatile player who has experience internationally as well as in the WPS and Europe, and is excited about her return to the WPS,” Head Coach Aaran Lines says.

ABOUT THE WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH
The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September of 2010, directly following the club’s decisive W-League Championship as the Buffalo Flash in July of 2010. The Flash play all WPS home games at the Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester NY, home to the Rochester Rhinos. The Flash train out of owner Joe Sahlen’s indoor soccer facility, Sahlen Sports Park, in Elma, NY. The Flash colors are Red, Yellow, and Black, to match the Sahlen entities: Sahlen Packing Co., Sahlen Sports Park, and Team Sahlen racing team. The WNY Flash posted a 13-2-3 record (42 points) in their inaugural campaign, taking first place and the Regular season Championship. On August 27, 2011 the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence to capture the WPS Championship title in front of a record crowd of over 10,000 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium. For season tickets or for more information, please call 716-655-7529 or visit our website, www.wnyflash.com