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Zakiya Bywaters Selected First Overall by Chicago Red Stars

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In the first ever NWSL College Draft, the Chicago Red Stars with the first overall pick selected UCLA striker Zakiya Bywaters.  A native of Las Vegas, NV, the 22 year old striker started in 88 games in 92 total appearances during her four year college career.  Bywaters was also named the 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year.  ”I’m very honored to be drafted by Chicago,” Bywaters said to US Soccer, “I’m looking forward to helping develop the women’s game, and I think this will be a great opportunity to play in the NWSL.”

In her final year as a Bruin, Bywaters was the Pac-12′ goal leader with 15, points leader with 36 and game winning goals with six.  US Soccer describes the forward as, ‘a slick dribbler who proved to be extremely dangerous in one-on-one situations throughout her college career.’  Bywaters is also a Youth National Team mainstay, and was on the team that won the 2010 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala.  Red Stars head coach Rory Dames had this to say about the number one overall draft pick: ”Zakiya possesses a great combination of technique and pace.  She has the ability to play multiple positions and we believe she will push hard for future National Team call-ups.”

Stay tuned to the PSL Soccer Desk for more news on the first ever NWSL College Draft.

Quotes courtesy of  US Soccer

Photo courtesy of the Official NWSL Facebook page