Women’s Soccer: Three Invited To WPS Combine
December 09, 2008 12:59 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
December 9, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Three West Virginia University women’s soccer players have accepted invitations to the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Combine. Current senior Greer Barnes, and former Mountaineers Kim Bonilla and Marisa Kanela will attend an invitation-only combine Dec. 18-21, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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| Kim Bonilla (in red) has been playing professionally in Sweden. |
During the combines, players will undergo general training and physical testing, and will be assigned to specific teams with the opportunity to play in three games over the course of three days. Players’ rights will be drafted by teams at the 2009 WPS Draft on Jan. 16, in St. Louis, at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention. Beginning in February, teams will also hold local try-outs in their respective markets.
Barnes recently completed her career at WVU, leading the 2008 Mountaineers to a ninth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. She was named an NSCAA All-American for the second-straight year, a Second and Third Team selection. The Rye, N.Y., native is a two-time First Team All-BIG EAST (2007-08) defender, along with a Second Team All-BIG EAST nod in 2006. The senior was able to get forward in the attack to total 34 shots and five points in 2008. Barnes, a two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region player, appeared in 82 career matches for the Mountaineers at both midfield and defender.
Bonilla was a two-time All-BIG EAST forward for the Mountaineers from 2004-07. The Dumfries, Va., native earned Second Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors from Soccer Buzz as a junior with her 12-assist, nine-goal season. As a senior, Bonilla earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team and was named the Championships’ Most Outstanding Offensive Player. A 2008 NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-American, Bonilla spent this past fall playing professionally in Sweden, with Pitea IF, a first division soccer club.
Kanela won four letters playing midfield and forward for the Mountaineers from 2002-05. A Wantagh, N.Y., native, Kanela completed her career with 28 goals and 20 assists in 85 appearances. A three-time All-BIG EAST performer, she was also an NSCAA Scholar All-American in 2005. Kanela, a three-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region pick, most recently suited up for the West Virginia Illusion, a first-year member of United Soccer Leagues W-League.
Combine participants include graduating college seniors who will have completed their eligibility following the conclusion of the 2008 season and other national and international talent from top level amateur leagues such as the W-League and WPSL.
The players had the option of performing on the East Coast in Ft. Lauderdale, or head west for a combine on Dec. 11-14 in San Diego, Calif. Invitations were extended following a careful selection process done by the WPS Coaches Committee. A maximum of 144 players will participate in the WPS Combines; no more than 72 at each location.
