Western New York Flash Select 5 in NWSL Supplemental Draft
February 7, 2013 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Buffalo, NY (February 7, 2013) - The Western New York Flash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) selected five players in today's NWSL supplemental draft, including Angela Salem who scored the winning penalty kick for the Flash to win the WPSL Elite League Championship for the club last July.
The Flash's first pick this afternoon was Estelle Johnson (7th overall), a solid defender who played the 2012 season with the NY Fury in the WPSL Elite League. Johnson was a key component to Paul Riley's side that faced the Flash in the semi-final match where the Flash defeated the Fury 2-1. Johnson a ppeared in 15 games for the Philadelphia Independence during the 2011 WPS season, including the WPS Championship match where the Independence fell to the Flash. The Colorado native was selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 LA Sol Dispersal Draft by the Independence, and appeared in 13 games her rookie season.
Salem, a midfielder from Coplay, Ohio, returns to the Flash as their second pick and 15th overall after appearing in all 16 matches for the club and starting 15 during the 2012 season. Prior to the 2012 WPSL Elite season, Salem started nine games, appearing in 11 for the Atlanta Beat in the WPS. The technical center midfielder has also played for the Sky Blue FC of the WPS and is a graduate of Francis Marion University where she became the first female alum to play professional soccer.
In the third round, the Flash selected midfielder Kim Yokers as the 23rd pick overall. Yokers, 30, also played for the New York Fury this past season. The Seattle native appeared in 9 matches for FC Gold Pride in 2009 and 2010, helping the club to the 2010 WPS Championship .
In the fourth round, WNY selected Val Henderson as the 31st pick. Henderson is a three-year WPS veteran who spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Independence where she started all 20 of her appearances. The goalkeeper collected four shutouts and made 20 saves on 28 shots for a 0.88 goals against average (GAA) last season. Henderson was selected by the Los Angeles Sol as the 33rd overall pick in the 2009 WPS Draft. She started and played all 90 minutes of one match for the Sol, saving all shots faced to earn her first pro shutout. The Sol traded Henderson to Philadelphia on Oct. 7, 2009. The California native remains the all-time leader in career goalkeeping victories at UCLA where she was a Soccer America Freshman All-American in 2004, an NSCAA/Adidas Scholar All-American in 2006 and 2007, and a Pac-10 Champion in each of her four years.
The Flash selected local Rochester product Ashley Grove as their final selection The Maryland University alum is Tied for 10th in career points (49), 11th in career goals (18), ninth in career game-winning goals (6) and 12th in career assists (13), 11th in single-season points (24 in 2010) and 15th in single-season assists (6 in 2010) in the Terp's record Books. The striker was named to the All-ACC Tournament team in 2010.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 7, 2013
- Red Stars Select 5 in Supplemental Draft, Add 5th Free Agent - Chicago Stars FC
- NWSL Completes First Supplemental Draft - NWSL
- Western New York Flash Select 5 in NWSL Supplemental Draft - Western New York Flash
- FC Kansas City Reaches Agreement with Two More Star Players - FC Kansas City
- NWSL Supplemental Draft to Commence at Noon ET on Thursday, February 7 - NWSL
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.
