North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Players Selected in WUSA Draft
12/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Five former NC State soccer players were selected in the inaugural WUSA (Women's United Soccer Association) Draft Sunday evening.
Thori Staples Bryan, a two-time All-American and four-time All-ACC selection, was the first American selected in the draft, going eighth overall to the Bay City CyberRays. During her career, Bryan received numous awards including being named National Freshman of the Year by Soccer America. Bryan has played 53 times for the U.S. National Team from 1993-1997, including a third overall finish at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden. She was previously a member of the 1998 and 1999 W-League National Champion Raleigh Wings. Bryan has also served as an assistant coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Kim Yankowski, a 1990 Freshman All-American and a 1991 All-ACC selection, was taken 43rd overall by the Carolina Tempest. Previously, Yankowksi has been co-captain of the Raleigh Wings since 1998 and was the W-League assist leader each of those years. Also, Yankowski was a W-League all-star in 1998 and 1999, including being named to W-League Final Four MVP in 1999. Yankowski stands third in school history in career assists with 32 and fifth in career points with 95. She has also served as an assistant coach for Virginia Tech.
Charmaine Hooper, a two-time All-American and three-time All-ACC selection went in the allocation round to the Atlanta Beat. Hooper, a member of the 1988 ACC Championship squad, was named to the All-Final Four squad that same season. A member of the Canadian National Team since 1994, Hooper has also been a member of the Chicago Cobras of the USWISL and participated in the Japanese L-League from 1994-97. She also holds NC State season and career records for goals (26, 58) and points (57, 145).
On the second day of the draft, Mary Pitera (1991 All-ACC selection) was taken 82nd overall, also by the Atlanta Beat. Pitera, a member of the Wolfpack from 1988-91, was selected second-team All-South in 1988 and first team in1999. Also during her career at NC State, she was the Wolfpack's most outstanding defender and voted team MVP in 1991. She played four seasons as a member of the Maryland Pride, the 1996 W-League National Champions.
Linda Kurtyka, a four-year letterman (1989-93) for the Wolfpack, went 106th overall to the Bay Area CyberRays. On the club level, Kurtyka played with the Northern California Shockwaves from 1997-99 in the Women's Professional Soccer League. In 1996 and 1997, she played for the Takarazuka Bunnies in Japan. Kurtyka was also a member of the U.S. National B team on a tour of Europe in 1993.
