Breakers Take Four in WPS Draft

The Breakers searched far and near to find its four newest recruits for the 2012 season during Friday’s WPS Draft.

Forwards Stephanie Ochs (San Diego), Courtney Jones (North Carolina) and Jessica Luscinski (Boston University), along with defender Melinda Mercado (Oklahoma State), all had their names called by the club at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Ochs, a 5-9 target striker taken in the first round (3rd overall), scored 25 goals and collected 31 assists during her four years with the Toreros and recently led them to a sweet 16 berth during the 2011 NCAA tournament. She also earned two NSCAA All-America selections during her time in southern California.

“I think Stephanie Ochs’ best soccer is still ahead of her. A lot of people are excited about her and her potential,” Breakers Head Coach Lisa Cole said in a statement. “She has great athleticism. She is somebody who has taken her team and made them better, and that’s important.”

Another player who may find playing time beside Ochs is Jones, who was taken in the second round (11th overall). The 5-8 forward found the back of the net 36 times and racked up 32 assists during her four years on Chapel Hill. In fact, she is only one of 19 players in school history to amass 30 goals and 30 assists in her career. In addition to her individual feats, Jones helped the Tar Heels claim two titles during her collegiate career.

To shore up its defense, the Breakers took Mercado in the third round (16th overall). The 5-10 Cowgirl center back was part of an Oklahoma State back line that only conceded nine goals in 26 games, all of which she started. She was a named Big-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011, and was alo named a NSCAA First Team All-American in 2011.

“I’m very excited to get a chance to further my soccer career with the Boston Breakers,” Mercado told okstate.com. “This is an amazing opportunity, and I am very blessed to get the opportunity to represent Oklahoma State at the next level.”

With their final pick, the Breakers looked right in their own backyard to select Luscinski in the fourth round (20th overall), a 5-4 striker who scored 29 goals and added 24 assists during her time at Boston University. The Terrier target woman was also a two-time America East Striker of the Year.

The Breakers begin their preseason on Mar. 1, with the start of the season likely to take place during the weekend of Apr. 14-15.