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SAN FRANCISCO Three former Cavalier All-Americans were selected Monday in the Women’s Professional Soccer General Draft. The Washington Freedom held two of the three first picks in the draft and selected Sarah Huffman first overall and Becky Sauerbrunn third overall. Lori Lindsey was selected by the Freedom in the third round with the 17th overall selection.
Huffman, who is currently playing professionally in Norway, was an All-American in 2004 and 2005 and the 2004 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She played with the Freedom in 2007 in the W-League.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than to get drafted No. 1 to the Freedom,” said Huffman. “I’ve made D.C. my home since graduating, so I’m extremely happy to continue there as a professional. I am very thankful for my Freedom coaches for believing in me and can’t wait to get back. The first thing I thought of when I was selected was my immediate family. The second thing was my family at UVa. I am forever in debt to my coaches, teammates and everyone behind the scenes in the athletic department for their support and helping me reach the next step in my soccer career.”
Sauerbrunn was a three-time All-American for the Cavaliers and was the 2007 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She holds the school career records with 91 games played, 91 games started and 8,523 minutes played. This past summer she played for the Freedom W-League team.
“It is an honor to be selected in the draft and to go so high makes it that much better,” said Sauerbrunn. “Having spent the last six years in the area and all the connections I have here, I feel extremely fortunate to be going to the Freedom. To have two other players from Virginia be drafted by the team is exciting. That is a testament to the program that UVa is producing the type of players that professional coaches want to have on their team.”
Lindsey was the 2000 and 2001 ACC Player of the Year and a two-time All-American. She played three seasons in the WUSA, helping the Washington Freedom win the 2003 Founders Cup. She has spent the past three seasons playing for the Freedom in the W-League.
The WPS will begin play in April with seven teams. Last month, players from the US Women’s National Team and top international players were allocated to clubs and former Cavalier Angela Hucles was allocated to the Boston Breakers. In December, the league will host two combines before another draft in January.