When Atlanta Beat head coach Gareth O’Sullivan sat in the press box of the North Carolina women’s soccer match against UCLA, he had his eye on a Tar Heel for his No. 1 draft pick.
O’Sullivan and the Beat chose UNC senior midfielder Tobin Heath with the first choice Friday in the 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer Draft. Heath was among seven Tar Heels drafted into the second-year league — the most of any school.
“She’ll be a wonderful pro from every perspective,” UNC coach Anson Dorrance said. “She’s the kind of player that people pay money to watch. She’s very clever with the ball, and she has some tremendous creativity.”
Heath, a three-time All-American and Olympic gold medalist, is the first choice in the history of the Beat’s franchise, which begins its inaugural season in April.
But Heath was just the tip of the iceberg for the national champions in the nine-team draft.
“We were blown away,” Dorrance said. “Not only the number was exciting for us, but where they were drafted, that’s absolutely incredible.”
The Chicago Red Stars nabbed senior defender Whitney Engen with the fourth overall pick. Engen anchored a UNC defense that allowed 12 goals last season.
Nikki Washington and Casey Nogueira were selected fifth and eighth respectively by the Los Angeles Sol. Washington tore her ACL in September and missed nearly the entire 2009 season.
Nogueira led the team in goals this year but was the fourth Tar Heel taken. The teammates will take to the pitch playing alongside Marta, three-time World Player of the Year.
