Women’s Professional Soccer held its third annual college draft Friday at the 2011 NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.
A surprise to few in the audience, expansion Western New York Flash selected California standout and U.S. national team rising star, forward Alex Morgan with the top pick in the draft, while also nabbing The University of Portland’s Elli Reed as the first defender in the draft with the number eight overall selection.
The Flash had no selections in round two. In round three, the Flash took Notre Dame midfielder Rose Augustin, and chose local favorite, a keeper, Ashleigh Bowers of Niagara.
The Western New York club made a splash in sponsorship as well, at the draft. WPS CEO Anne-Marie Eileraas officially opened the proceedings by announcing the league’s sixth national sponsor, Sahlen’s Hot Dogs. Sahlen’s owner, Joe Sahlen, is also the owner of the Flash. Now his product will not only be the official hot dog of the Buffalo Bills but will be the official hot dog of WPS and will be the hot dog served at all WPS venues, as the company logo will don all WPS jerseys.
