Complete 2013 NWSL College Draft

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland Pilots defender and reigning WCC Defensive Player of the Year Kendall Johnson was selected 12th overall by Sky Blue FC in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League College Draft, which was held on Friday morning. Johnson, a redshirt-junior, will forgo her one year of eligibility remaining to join the professional ranks.
 
“This is very exciting and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” said Johnson, a Portland native and a graduate of Lincoln High School. “The University of Portland is a special place and I’m going to miss the school and the city for sure because I’m from here and the fans are so amazing. It’ll be a new and a different experience for me, but I’m definitely looking forward to it. I will do my best to represent UP and the Pilots on the East Coast.”
 
Johnson started 19 games at left back for the Pilots last fall, registering three goals, five assists and a game-winner. She helped the Pilots post eight shutouts and advance to the NCAA post-season for the 20th time in the past 21 years.
 
Johnson, who graduated from UP in December, became the fifth player in program history to be named the West Coast Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. She also landed on the All-WCC First Team last fall, was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Season Third Team and was an NSCAA All-West Region Team selection.
 
She finishes her career with eight goals, 11 assists and four game-winners in 56 games, and she was named the WCC’s Co-Freshman of the Year in 2009, while also garnering Freshman All-American honors.
 
“I’m going to miss all my teammates,” added Johnson. “I feel like I’m definitely well-prepared for this because UP is a very professionally run program. I’m very thankful of the professionalism the staff instilled in me, and I would definitely not be where I am without their help and support.”
 
“We’re very excited for Kendall,” said Portland head coach Garrett Smith. “It’s been a goal of hers to play professionally and hopefully one day to be in a position to represent her country. We’re excited to see our latest alum go the pros and I’m sure she will carry on the great tradition of our program’s players succeeding on a big stage.”
 
Sky Blue FC is one of the eight original members of the newly formed NWSL. The club was established in 2006, and team’s headquarters are located in Morristown, N.J.
 
Fellow Pilot alum and current Canadian National Team member Sophie Schmidt was allocated to Sky Blue FC last week.
 
“It’s awesome to possibly be playing with Sophie again,” Johnson said. “It’ll be nice to know somebody on the team who can show me the ropes of playing professionally.”