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WPS Sky Blue FC

Brittany Taylor Selected In First Round Of WPS Draft

January 15, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Philadelphia (Friday, January 15, 2010) - The 2010 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft officially started this morning at 10:00 a.m., with the expansion Atlanta Beat taking Basking Ridge, New Jersey, native Tobin Heath with the first overall pick. Sky Blue FC had its first round selection sixth overall, and the defending WPS Champions chose University of Connecticut defender Brittany Taylor with that pick. Taylor now joins Sky Blue FC defender Ashleigh Gunning as the second player to join the team from its USL W-League affiliate club, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues.

"Brittany is a versatile player who can play anywhere on the field," Sky Blue FC head coach Pauliina Miettinen said of Taylor. "Her local roots and connection to Quickstrike Lady Blues make her an excellent choice for us. She is a great player and great person, and we are very excited to add Brittany to our team."

Taylor, a US U-23 player who now leaves for the 20-day training camp of the U.S. Women's National Team in Carson, California, had a stellar season last summer with Quickstrike. She contributed three goals and an assist to the offensive attack, and her defensive prowess led to W-League Defender of the Year accolades.

"Brittany is the player who we were focused on coming into this draft," Sky Blue FC General Manager Gerry Marrone stated. "We knew Brittany wanted to play for Sky Blue FC, and that's key for any team. She's also honed her skills with a lifelong career in our area. We know great things will come from Brittany for our organization."

Before receiving the call-up to the full national team, Taylor played at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 level, winning a Silver Medal at the 2007 Pan-Am Games with the U-20 side. After playing her senior season at UConn this past fall, the Huskies captain received seven postseason awards, including NSCAA and TopDrawerSoccer All-America honors. The 2009 Big East Defensive Player of the Year award was also selected to the Big East First Team, ECAC First Team, NSCAA All-Northeast Team, NEWISA All-New England First Team and Soccer America Second Team. During her first three years at UConn, the Campbell Hall, New York, native was named to the Big East First Team on three occasions while receiving Big East Defensive Player of the Year and NSCAA All-America accolades following her junior season.



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