Reed, Winters, Stoltenberg get WPS call up

Eli Reed.

Courtesy wps.com.

The Boston Breakers drafted University of Portland midfielder Keelin Winters with the No. 6 pick of the Women's Professional Soccer Draft Friday and two other Oregon college players went shortly thereafter.

Eli Reed, the highest rated defender among draft hopefuls, went No. 8 to the expansion Western New York Flash, and University of Oregon grad Jen Stoltenberg went No. 9 to Philadelphia from among the 24 draft picks.

Alex Morgan of the Universit of California went No. 1 to Western New York.

The WPS will begin its third season in March with six teams.

PORTLAND'S REED RATED TOP DEFENDER FOR WPS DRAFT

JAN. 12

Eli Reed, who helped lead the University of Portland to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in fall, is rated as the top selection in the upcoming Women’s Professional Soccer Draft set for Friday, according to media representatives.

The league, set to begin its third season in April, features six teams that will play 24 games during the regular season.

Sophie Schmidt is rated No. 4 at midfielder in the draft, which has 24 selections.

Several other local players were rated as honorable mention: Portland’s Jessica Tsao is also viewed as a possible selection at defender. Keelin Winters of Portland is seen as a pick at midfield, while Portland’s Kendra Chandhoke and Oregon’s Jen Stoltenberg are possible selections at forward.

The league’s schedule will be announced in February.