Erikson, Grubb, Lindsey get scooped up in weekend draft
Special to The Observer
Three more former Notre Dame women's soccer players were drafted by teams in the first-year Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), following Sunday's four-round supplemental draft held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Defender Kelly Lindsey — who recently completed her senior season at Notre Dame — was selected by the Bay Area CyberRays with the first overall pick while another former Irish defender, 2000 graduate Jen Grubb, went to the Washington (D.C.) Freedom with the second overall selection.
Forward Meotis Erikson — who just completed her senior season with the Irish-was a second-round selection in the eight-team draft, going to the Boston Breakers with the 10th overall pick.
Ten former Notre Dame players have been allocated or drafted by the WUSA, which is set to begin its first season in April.
The supplemental draft was held primarily for selection of players who just completed their college eligibility or who recently submitted their names into the draft pool. Lindsey and Erikson both were in Fort Lauderdale as members of the Central squad that competed in the annual Umbro-Select Senior All-Star Games. Their Notre Dame classmate, midfielder Anne Makinen, also played in those Umbro Select games as a member of an "elite" squad comprised of players already allocated or drafted by the WUSA (which held its initial draft last December).
Each WUSA team ultimately will trim its roster to 20 players prior to the start of play, with each team's roster currently including 24.
Lindsey could be reunited on the CyberRays with former Irish goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene, who was allocating to the Bay Area team and spent the 2000 fall semester as a volunteer assistant coach with the Irish women's soccer team.
Grubb is the third former Notre Dame player drafted by Washington, which also picked Makinen in the first round of the initial draft before drafting former Irish forward Monica Gerardo in the seventh round.
Erikson could be reunited in Boston with former Irish defender and current U.S. national team member Kate Sobrero, who was one of three players allocated to the Breakers.
Three other former Notre Dame players were drafted by the San Diego Spirit-midfielder Shannon Boxx in the third round; forward/midfielder Jenny Streiffer-Mascaro in the fourth round and midfielder/defender Kara Brown in the 10th round.
Erikson and Lindsey helped Notre Dame compile an 88-9-4 record from 1997-2000, with four trips to the NCAA quarterfinals, three NCAA semifinal appearances and an NCAA runner-up season in 1999.
Lindsey was a first-team selection on the 2000 all-Great Lakes Region team, as selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A two-year Irish captain, her final season was interrupted by knee injury that forced her to miss six midseason games in 2000. She appeared in 19 of 25 games in 2000 and was a first-team all-BIG EAST selection in 2000
Lindsey helped the 2000 Irish lead the nation with an 0.39 season goals-against average while allowing an average of six shots, three shots on goal and three corner kicks per game. A gritty leader who battled back from injuries throughout her Irish career, she appeared in 89 games. She was a key part of a 2000 Notre Dame team that trailed just twice all season, with 16 shutouts.
Erikson — an NSCAA second-team all-region pick in 2000 — appeared in all 101 games of her career, tying the Irish record set by Boxx. She ranked second on the 2000 team with 39 points, plus four game-winning goals.
Erikson was one of three Irish players to start all 25 games in 2000 and closed her career with points in 10 of her last 12 games. She ranks seventh on the Irish career scoring list, plus sixth in goals and seventh in assists.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 5, 2001
