North Carolina State University Athletics
Vera, O'Rourke Selected in Women's Pro Draft
1/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ST. LOUIS, Mo. Former NC State women’s soccer teammates Lindsay Vera and Jessica O’Rourke were selected Friday in the Women’s Professional Soccer League draft.
The Boston Breakers chose Vera with the 43rd overall pick in the seventh round.
O’Rourke was tabbed by Chicago Red Stars with the 58th pick in the ninth round.
Vera finished her senior season with the Wolfpack last fall and was named All-ACC for a third-straight season in 2008.
The Houston, Texas, native led the team in scoring for the second straight year and third time in her career with 24 points on nine goals and six assists, which all ranked among the top-10 in the league.
Vera stands among the all-time great players in program history with 27 goals and 67 career points. She started all 20 games for the Pack and converted three game-winning goals in 2008.
She also was the top scoring threat last summer for the W-League’s Carolina Railhawks by scoring 11 points (4g, 3a) in 14 games.
Meanwhile, O’Rourke was a four-year letterwinner for the Pack from 2004-07, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 70 career matches. Statistically her junior season was her best with a team-leading 19 points on eight goals and three helpers.
She also played in the W-League last summer for FC Indiana. She was a key figure in the midfield that led the club to the league’s title game. The native of Marlton, N.J., scored her team’s only goal of the match in a 2-1 setback.
WPS is the highest-level women’s professional soccer league in North America. and will begin play in April 2009.
The Boston Breakers chose Vera with the 43rd overall pick in the seventh round.
O’Rourke was tabbed by Chicago Red Stars with the 58th pick in the ninth round.
Vera finished her senior season with the Wolfpack last fall and was named All-ACC for a third-straight season in 2008.
The Houston, Texas, native led the team in scoring for the second straight year and third time in her career with 24 points on nine goals and six assists, which all ranked among the top-10 in the league.
Vera stands among the all-time great players in program history with 27 goals and 67 career points. She started all 20 games for the Pack and converted three game-winning goals in 2008.
She also was the top scoring threat last summer for the W-League’s Carolina Railhawks by scoring 11 points (4g, 3a) in 14 games.
Meanwhile, O’Rourke was a four-year letterwinner for the Pack from 2004-07, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 70 career matches. Statistically her junior season was her best with a team-leading 19 points on eight goals and three helpers.
She also played in the W-League last summer for FC Indiana. She was a key figure in the midfield that led the club to the league’s title game. The native of Marlton, N.J., scored her team’s only goal of the match in a 2-1 setback.
WPS is the highest-level women’s professional soccer league in North America. and will begin play in April 2009.
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