WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S SOCCER
MOUNTAINEERS IN THE PROS PROFESSIONAL RANKS
Katie Barnes
Rachel Kruze
Kim Bonilla
On Feb. 11, 2002, Katie Barnes became the first West Virginia women’s soccer player to be drafted by the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) when she was selected in the second round as the ninth overall pick by the Carolina Courage. Barnes also spent time as a member of the San Jose CyberRays in the WUSA and as a member of the Cincinnati Ladyhawks in the United Soccer League.
Considered the most underrated player in WVU women’s soccer history, Rachel Kruze proved her doubters wrong when she was selected by the Philadelphia Charge in the 2003 WUSA Draft, making her the second WVU women’s soccer player to join the professional ranks.
Kim Bonilla, a four-year letterwinner and all-BIG EAST forward, continued her playing career after college with one season (2008) with Jersey Sky Blue in the United Soccer League and then continuing her career overseas, playing the 2008-09 season for Pitea IF Soccer Club, Sweden’s First Division Champions.
Lisa Stoia
Carolyn Blank
Kerri Butler
Megan Mischler
Midfielder Carolyn Blank was drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 WPS Draft by the St. Louis Athletica. Blank finished her first professional season with the Atlanta Beat before playing the 2011 season with Jersey Sky Blue.
Kerri Butler, a four-year letterwinner at goalkeeper and WVU’s career shutout leader, signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Beat of the WPS in February 2011. The Beat joined Women’s Professional Soccer as one of two expansion clubs in the 2010 season.
Three-time all-BIG EAST forward Megan Mischler earned a shortterm contract with the Boston Breakers of the WPS midway through the 2011 season. After an impressive debut with the Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves, Mishcler was called into WPS action during 2011 World Cup play.
Carolina Courage (WUSA) San Jose CyberRays (WUSA) Cincinnati Ladyhawks (USL W-League)
St. Louis Athletica (WPS) Boston Renegades (USL W-League) Former two-time BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, Lisa Stoia was drafted in the seventh round, 48th overall, of the 2009 WPS Draft by the St. Louis Athletica. She also competed for two seasons as a midfielder with the Boston Renegades in the United Soccer League.
Philadelphia Charge (WUSA) IBV (Iceland) Rochester Rhinos (USL W-League)
Jersey Sky Blue FC (WPS) Atlanta Beat (WPS) St. Louis Athletica (WPS)
Pitea IF (Sweden) Jersey Sky Blue (USL W-League)
Atlanta Beat (WPS)
Laura Kane
Pitea IF (Sweden) FC Indiana (USL W-League) A third team All-American at WVU, forward Laura Kane played professionally in the U.S. and abroad following a stellar career with the Mountaineers. She played the 2008 season for Sweden’s First Division Champions Pitea IF after one season as a member of FC Indiana in the United Soccer League.
Boston Breakers (WPS)
Greer Barnes
Los Angeles Sol (WPS) Two-time All-America defender, Greer Barnes was drafted in the fourth round, 24th overall, of the 2009 WPS Draft by the Los Angeles Sol. The WPS is the first professional soccer league in North America since the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) league that lasted for three years before folding in 2003.