Independence takes Havertown native with first pick
The Independence kept it local. The team took Havertown native Sinead Farrelly in its first of seven picks in the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer draft yesterday.
The Independence kept it local.
The team took Havertown native Sinead Farrelly in its first of seven picks in the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer draft yesterday.
The Independence, last year's runner-up for the WPS championship, selected Farrelly - an all-Atlantic Coast Conference midfielder from Virginia - at No. 2, a spot it received after trading Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc to the now-defunct Chicago Red Stars in the offseason.
"Bringing Sinead home is fantastic for everybody," coach Paul Riley said. "She's a creative player and we think she'll come in and make a big impact for us. She'll compete for a starting spot right away, and I expect we'll see her in the lineup very early this season."
Also in the first round, the Independence took Notre Dame forward Lauren Fowlkes at No. 5. Round 2 brought Oregon forward Jennifer Stoltenberg (No. 9 overall) and Wake Forest defender Caitlin Farrell (No. 11). UCLA defender Lauren Barnes (No. 15) and Wake midfielder Bianca D'Agostino (No. 18) went in Round 3, and, with its final pick, in the fourth round, 23rd overall, the Independence chose James Madison midfielder Teresa Rynier.
"It was a good draft. I really think we have the pieces to remain in the top tier of this league for quite some time," Riley said.
Stahled out
In Union news, the team declined to pick up the option on Finnish midfielder Toni Stahl's contract. Stahl, the 17th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, made only four appearances last season for the Union, in all competitions.
Terms of Stahl's contract were not released, but, according to the MLS Players Union, he received a base salary of $40,000 and a total of $110,300 in guaranteed compensation.