Sophie Reiser Selected by Chicago Red Stars in 2010 Women's Professional Soccer Draft
1/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NEW YORK -- Former Columbia University women's soccer standout Sophie Reiser became the first women's soccer player in school history to be drafted by a professional soccer franchise on Friday afternoon. The 2008 Ivy League Player of the Year was selected by the Chicago Red Stars of the Women's Professional Soccer league with the fourth pick in the fifth round (No. 42 overall).
A three-time All-Ivy League first team selection, Reiser started 13 matches as a first-year player and helped the Lions to their first ever Ivy League championship. The following season, the Seattle native led Columbia in assists (9) and points (17) en route to her first All-Ivy League first team selection.
As a junior, Reiser moved to forward in the early part of the season and flourished, setting career highs with 12 goals and 11 assists as she became only the second player in Columbia history to be named Ivy League Player of the Year (Shannon Munoz - 2006). Reiser was named a fourth-team All-American by SoccerBuzz Magazine, and was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a Scholar All-American.
This past season, Reiser broke the program's career assist record and closed out her four-year stint at Columbia ranked second in points and third in goals scored. Reiser was also named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American in 2009, becoming the first player in women's soccer program history to receive such accolades.
The Chicago Red Stars, coached by former Iona head coach Emma Hayes, is one of seven charter franchises in the WPS who began play in March 2009. The Red Stars play their home matches at Toyota Park, also home of the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.
