Jan. 16, 2009
SAINT LOUIS, Mo. -- Former Santa Clara women's soccer standout players Brandi Chastain '91, Chioma Igwe '08 and Brittany Klein '08 were drafted in the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft. The trio joins current WPS players Marian Dalmy '07, Leslie Osborne '04 and Aly Wagner '02. Klein, who currently is a member of the US U23 National Team, was selected 14th overall by the Chicago Red Stars.
Klein is the fifth SCU player to be drafted by a WPS team, since its inception in 2008. While at Santa Clara, she was a three-time All-WCC and two-time All-West Region Selection honoree, scoring 15 goals, six of which were game-winning, and tallying eight assists. Klein helped lead the Broncos to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two WCC Conference Championships.
 The Chicago Red Stars drafted Chioma Igwe '08.  |
|
In the fourth round the Red Stars returned to the SCU player pool and selected Igwe as the 28th player in the draft. Igwe was a member of the Broncos for her junior and senior seasons, after transferring from California. While at SCU she was an All-WCC Second Team selection and the team's Defensive MVP. She scored three goals, including a game-winning goal in her first season on the Mission Campus, and posted three assists for Santa Clara. Igwe's two brother's Kelechi '05 and Amaechi both played soccer at SCU. Amaechi currently is a member of the New England Revolution.
Igwe and Klein will join former Bronco teammate Dalmy, a current member of the Red Stars.
Chastain, the 45th pick in the draft, was selected by FC Gold Pride. The Bay Area native will return to play at her collegiate field, as the Pride will call Buck Shaw Stadium home for their inaugural season. Chastain, a renowned figure in women's soccer is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, an Olympic silver medalist, World Cup and US National Team player, and ABC/ESPN broadcaster. While with the Broncos, she was a 1990 Honda Award Winner and ISAA Player of the Year, and a two-time All-West Region Selection.
 Brandi Chastain '91 will return to play at Buck Shaw Stadium as a member of FC Gold Pride. |
|
With Chastain joining the Pride, two former SCU players will be on the roster, as Osborne was allocated to the Bay Area franchise this past fall. Wagner, who was allocated in the fall as well, will play for the Los Angeles Sol.
Broncos in the WPS
Chicago Red Stars:
Marian Dalmy '07
Chioma Igwe '08
Brittany Klein '08
FC Gold Pride:
Brandi Chastain '91
Leslie Osborne '04
Los Angeles Sol:
Aly Wagner '02