NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Red Stars Select 5 in Supplemental Draft, Add 5th Free Agent

February 7, 2013 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2013) - The Chicago Red Stars have added significant talent and experience to their roster through today's NWSL Supplemental Draft, as well as the official announcement of a 5th free agent signee. Lindsay Tarpley, Lauren Fowlkes, Michelle Wenino, Jackie Santacaterina and Alyssa Mautz were supplemental selections while Jessica McDonald has been announced as the 5th free agent added to the roster.

The Red Stars first pick today and #4 overall was forward/midfielder Lindsay Tarpley, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the USWNT. She was formally allocated to the Red Stars during the 2009 WPS season. The 29 year-old Wisconsin-native welcomed her first child in July of 2012 and looks to make a come-back to the professional level this season.

Lauren Fowlkes, a 24 year-old versatile defender/midfielder from Lee's Summit, Missouri, was picked in the second round and 12th overall. She was a co-captain at Notre Dame, winning the 2010 NCAA College Cup. Fowlkes was also a member of the 2012 Red Stars team that contended in the WPSL Elite final, and currently resides in Chicago.

Another returning member of the 2012 Chicago team, defender Michelle Wenino, was selected 20th overall in the third round. The 25 year-old Colorado-native was originally drafted by the WPS Red Stars in 2010 and was an important piece of the Red Stars defense in WPSL Elite last season. Wenino also currently resides in Chicago.

In the fourth round and 39 th overall the Red Stars selected Jackie Santacaterina, a 24-year-old midfielder/defender from Geneva, Illinois, who continues to call Chicago home. She played collegiately for the University of Illinois and went on to be drafted by the Red Stars in 2010. She also played alongside Wenino with the 2012 Red Stars.

With the 36th overall pick in the 5th round the Red Stars chose Alyssa Mautz, a 22 year-old forward from St. Louis, MO, who was originally drafted by Sky Blue FC in the 2011 WPS draft and went on to play with the Red Stars in 2012.

The Red Stars did not select a player during the 6th and final round of the supplemental draft.

Rounding out their free agent selections, the Red Stars have signed 24 year-old forward Jessica McDonald. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. McDonald was another member of the Red Stars 2010 WPS draft class, but suffered a knee injury during that season. She most recently played with Australian W-League side Melbourne Victory, leading them to the Grand Final.

The Chicago Red Stars were selected as one of 8 teams to compete in the new NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) that was formed and organized by the U.S. Soccer Federation, beginning play in April 2013. The other teams include Boston Breakers, Washington Spirit (DC), FC Kansas City, Sky Blue FC (NJ), Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, and Western NY Flash. The Red Stars were league finalists in WPSL in 2011 and in WPSL Elite in 2012, and National Cup Champions in 2012.




National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 7, 2013


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