Two Former Huskers Drafted by WPS

Lincoln-With the resurgence of women’s professional soccer, two former Huskers have had their rights assigned and will play in the inaugural season of the Women’s Professional Soccer league (WPS) next April. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc was the fifth overall pick by Los Angeles in the WPS General Draft and forward Christine Latham had her playing rights obtained by the Boston Breakers as a post-draft discovery player.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“We had 11 former Nebraska players in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), so it is great to see the tradition of ex-Huskers playing professional soccer continued in the new WPS,” Nebraska Head Coach John Walker said. “[LeBlanc and Latham] are talented players and have shown, with their national team and previous professional playing experience, they will succeed in the WPS.”

 

LeBlanc wrapped up a stellar career at Nebraska in 2000, when she led the Huskers to a single-season NU record with 16 shutouts. Her 0.40 goals-against average during her senior season ranked first in the Big 12 Conference and second in the nation. She finished her career at Nebraska with a record of 60-6-3 (.870) and is the school career record holder in wins, shutouts (45.5), minutes in goal (6,308) and games started in goal (69).

 

She continued her career on the international level, making 65 caps for the Canadian national team and collecting 21 shutouts. She was a member of the WUSA’s Boston Breakers from 2001 to 2003 and played for the W-League’s New Jersey Wildcats in 2005 and 2006. She also played in the Beijing Olympics for Canada and is currently on the coaching staff at Rutgers University as an assistant coach.

 

“[LeBlanc] is not just a great goalkeeper, but she is a fantastic leader and even bigger asset to any community,” Los Angeles General Manager Charlie Naimo said. “Karina is the type of player you can build a franchise around and she will make an immediate impact on many levels.”

 

Latham finished her collegiate career as Nebraska’s all-time leader in points (167), goals (69) and game-winning goals (23). A three-time NSCAA All-American, Latham was named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year in 2000 and 2001, while leading the Huskers to the third round of the NCAA Championships three times. Latham was also a finalist for the Hermann Trophy twice.

 

Latham also went on to play for the Canadian national team, making 49 career caps and scoring 15 goals. She played for Canada in the 2003 Women’s World Cup and also was named the WUSA’s 2003 Rookie of the Year while playing for the San Diego Spirit. She spent time in the W-League from 2005 to 2006.

 

“Christine is a proven goal scorer who, with her work rate and fighting power, also creates chances for teammates,” Boston Head Coach Tony DiCicco said. “She is a leader and a winner, and the Boston Breakers are delighted that she is joining our team.”

 

Nebraska is one of six schools to have at least two former players in the WPS, and only seven programs have more players in the league. The WPS will pick up where the WUSA, which suspended operations in 2003, left off as the top pro league for women's soccer in the country. The WUSA was a single-entity league, but the WPS has individual franchise investors and a lower-cost structure. The WPS will kick off in April with seven teams.