Sky Blue FC picks U’s Isleib in draft

Last Friday, Sky Blue FC drafted senior midfielder Kelly Isleib. Sky Blue FC, which won the Women’s Professional Soccer League championship last season, chose Isleib with the sixth pick in the sixth round, 53rd overall.

“This is a great day for Kelly and for Utah soccer,” said Utah head coach Rich Manning. “We are proud that she has the distinction of being drafted by the champions of the best women’s soccer league in the world.”

In high school, Isleib was named the 3A MVP twice and led Park City to back-to-back state championships. One of the top fifty recruits from the class of 2005, Isleib was also named to the NSCAA Adidas All-American team, the highest honor in prep soccer.

On the Utah squad, Isleib had an equally impressive career. One of only three Utes to be named all-conference all four years, she is also a three-time all-region selection and has twice been called in to the camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Isleib also earned academic MWC All-Conference honors for three years.

Isleib holds the school record for 28 career assists and 13 assists in the 2007 single season. She also tallied 16 career goals, including eight as a senior.

“Kelly has been working hard, and this is a wonderful opportunity,” said Manning. “I am sure she will impress and hopefully will get a chance to shine.”

The WPS is preparing for its second season, which is scheduled to begin this March. The league replaced the Women’s United Soccer Association—which saw the likes of Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy—when it folded in 2003. Although the inaugural season of WPS was only a moderate success, the league expanded to nine teams for the upcoming season.

Sky Blue FC other draft selections are two time All-American Brittany Taylor, as well as Katie Schoepfer, Melissa Clark, Danielle Johnson, Megan Snell and Jenifer Anzivino.

“We got a nice mixture of versatile players from this draft,” said Sky Blue FC head coach Pauliina Miettinen. “We have heard many positive things about the players we selected, and we feel good about the combination of athleticism and local roots that the new players will bring to our team.”

Fans can follow Isleib on Sky Blue FC at www.womensprosoccer.com/ny as the team fights to win another championship this season.

k.price@chronicle.utah.edu

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