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San Diego Spirit Gets First Pick in Draft in Largest Trade in WUSA History

September 30, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - In an aggressive move to improve the San Diego Spirit for the 2003 season, the club has made its first trade under new general manager Dave Presher, sending midfielders Shannon Boxx and Sherrill Kester, and defender Margaret Tietjen, as well as the second pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft, to the New York Power in exchange for the first pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft, midfielder Jen Lalor and forward Wynne McIntosh.

Release Summary

- The five-player, two draft pick swap trade is the largest in WUSA history.

- Bonita Vista High grad Jen Lalor is a two-year WUSA veteran appearing in 35 matches with the Power.

- Wynne McIntosh played in 14 games, starting 10, and scored one goal with one assist in the 2002 season.

The Spirit now has first choice of all the college and amateur players in the 2003 WUSA Draft that will be held in late January or early February. The Power had the first choice in the draft by virtue of its last place finish in the WUSA during the 2002 season while the Spirit had the second pick after finishing seventh.

"The players are the major factor in winning and professionals sports are about winning," said Presher. "In order to get talent, you have to give, and we feel we've increased our flexibility and leverage towards improving our team."

Lalor, a three-time All-American at Santa Clara University, attended Bonita Vista High School and played women's club soccer for the reigning women's national champion Southern California Blues during her junior and senior years in high school. She was a member of the 1995 U.S. Women's World Cup Team and has 23 caps for the USA and two international goals. She last played for the national team on January 14, 2001, in a 1-1 tie against China in Hangzhou, a match in which she scored the USA's lone goal. Lalor played in 20 games for the Power last season, starting 18. She played in 15 games during the inaugural season, starting 13, and scored in the Power's playoff match against the San Jose CyberRays. McIntosh, a former University of Portland star, played in 14 games for the Power last season, starting 10, while also playing in the midfield and in the back, and scored one goal with one assist.

San Diego parts with Boxx, one of just three players to ever captain the Spirit, who played in 20 games last season, starting 15, and had two goals with two assists. Tietjen, who returns to her home area in Long Island, N.Y., played in 13 matches, starting five, and did not record a goal or an assist. Kester, San Diego's second round choice in the inaugural WUSA Draft, was the only Spirit player to see action in all 21 matches last season, and recorded one goal with two assists.

"We are prepared to do what it takes to win in San Diego," said Presher. "It was difficult to part with three players who have been an important part of the club for two years, but we felt that the opportunity to have the #1 pick in the draft was a unique and special one. Making trades is part of the process of building a winner and we will continue to seek ways to improve the team."

The San Diego Spirit is a charter member of the WUSA and plays their home matches at the 7,035-seat Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. For ticket information, please contact the Spirit ticket office at 1-877-4SOCCER (1-877-476-2237) or 619-692-9872, or visit the club's website at www.sandiegospirit.com.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from September 30, 2002


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