NWSL Draft, Tri-State Review: WNY Flash, Sky Blue FC take six each in busy morning

PHILADELPHIA — Though not a single player from the region’s colleges was selected in the four rounds, there was plenty of Tri-State influence on the NWSL College Draft and the region’s professional teams certainly had a productive time at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday.

Sky Blue FC were busy as they acquired six players in the space of four rounds. First up, Sky Blue chose Sarah Killion from UCLA, who is coming off her recent call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team for the 2014 Algarve Cup. They then followed it up by choosing Kristin Grubka of Florida State University with the first pick of the second round.

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In the third round, Sky Blue had two selections and chose MAC Hermann semifinalist Daphne Corboz (pictured above) from Georgetown University and Shade Pratt from the University of Maryland. Then, with their two selections in the fourth round, Sky Blue picked Chioma Ubogagu and Lo’eau LaBonta, both of Stanford University.

Corboz, a fluid playmaker of French heritage, is reportedly set to sign for Manchester City’s well-funded women’s program in England, but has also been accepted to Rutgers medical school and may land well with coach Jim Gabarra‘s squad eventually.

The rebuilding Western New York Flash took four players in the first round, including two players from UCLA and one apiece from Pepperdine University and Texas Tech University.

MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist Abby Dahlkemper and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Samantha Mewis are the former Bruins who will make the move to Rochester, N.Y., while forward Lynn Williams joins from Pepperdine after a season that saw her earn a semifinal spot for the 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy and Jaelene Hinkle arrives from Texas Tech.

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In the second round, the Flash took forward Tatiana Coleman out of the University of Central Florida, then in the third round they selected goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo from the University of South Carolina. That selection concluded the draft activity for the Flash, who sat out the fourth and final round.

The day’s activities meant that both sides ended up acquiring six players apiece in preparation for the start of the NWSL regular season in April.