2010 Wps Draft Countdown - Top Midfielders
December 30, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) News Release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 30, 2009) - The 2010 WPS Draft countdown continues with the media experts ranking the top college seniors at the midfield position in preparation for the WPS Draft on January 15, 2010 at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
For the third consecutive week, a Tarheel from the University of North Carolina was the top prospect at an individual position with midfielder Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, NJ) unanimously selected by the media panel as the best midfield player available in the upcoming draft; Heath's UNC teammate Whitney Engen (Rolling Hills Estates, CA) was the top prospect on defense, while fellow Tarheel Ashlyn Harris was voted as the top goalkeeper prospect two weeks ago. Heath is a 2008 Olympic gold medalist and was named 2009 Young Female Athlete of the Year last week by U.S. Soccer.
Among other midfielders UNC's Nikki Washington (Mesquite, TX) and Canadian international Kara Lang (Oakville, ON) of UCLA also received several top five votes from the panel. Several college seniors who previously redshirted for one season and still have college eligibility were also listed by media members.
Top Senior Prospects for the 2010 WPS Draft - Midfielders
Charles Cuttone, Soccer News Net
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Mick Imgram, MF, Tennessee
3. Sophie Schmidt, MF, Portland*
4. Emily Pallotta, MF, Boston University
5. Carolyn Blank, MF, West Virginia
Others to watch: Mandi Back, MF, Dayton
Scott French, The Soccer Magazine
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Nikki Washington, MF, North Carolina
3. Kara Lang, MF, UCLA
4. Becky Edwards, MF, Florida State
5. Michelle Enyeart, MF, Portland
Others to watch: Mandi Back, MF, Dayton; Katie Oakes, MF, California; Courtney Rosen, MF, Notre Dame
Graham Hays, ESPN.com
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Kara Lang, MF, UCLA
3. Gina DiMartino, MF, Boston College
4. Sophie Reiser, MF, Columbia
5. Carly Dobratz, MF, Washington State
Paul Kennedy, Soccer America
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Sophie Schmidt, MF, Portland*
3. Nikki Washington, MF, North Carolina
4. Kendra Chandhoke, MF, Portland*
5. Ali Hawkins, MF, North Carolina*
Dan Lauletta, Womensprosoccer.com
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Sophie Schmidt, MF, Portland*
3. Nikki Washington, MF, North Carolina
4. Ashley Bowyer, MF, Ohio State
5. Carolyn Blank, MF, West Virginia
Others to watch: Jennifer Anzivino, MF, Rutgers; Kaley Fountain, MF, Wake Forest
Mark Rogondino, Fox Soccer Channel
1. Tobin Heath, MF, North Carolina
2. Michelle Enyeart, MF, Portland
3. Kara Lang, MF, UCLA
4. Becky Edwards, MF, Florida State
5. Sophie Schmidt, MF, Portland*
* Year of playing eligibility remaining (redshirted one season)
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from December 30, 2009
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
