March 27, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina features the largest alumnae class of players drafted by teams for the inaugural season of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Notre Dame is second with 10, with the University of Virginia, Portland and Santa Clara following with seven.

WPS is comprised of seven franchises, which finalized their rosters earlier this week. Each roster contains 18 players on the active list, and up to an additional four listed as "developmental."

Heading the list of teams featuring former Tar Heels is Sky Blue FC (whose home team uniform is ironically Carolina Blue color), the New Jersey/New York franchise, with four. FC Gold Pride of the Bay Area is the only team without former Carolina players.

University of North Carolina Alumnae in WPS
Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers)
Ariel Harris (Boston Breakers - Developmental)
Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago Red Stars)
Kendall Fletcher (Los Angeles Sol)
Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue FC)
Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC)
Kacey White (Sky Blue FC)
Jenni Branam (Sky Blue FC - Developmental)
Lori Chalupny (Saint Louis Athletica)
Allie Long (Washington Freedom)
Cat Whitehill (Washington Freedom)
Maggie Tomecka (Boston Breakers - Developmental)