Colorado University Athletics
Wenino To Play In WPS
CHICAGO ? Former University of Colorado women’s soccer player and 2008 Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year Michelle Wenino has been named to the Chicago Red Stars Women’s Professional Soccer team, the league announced last week.
“Playing at the professional level is definitely different than college,” said Wenino. “At this level everyone is so good and the play is a lot quicker. It’s definitely a different style of play than I’m used to but the only way I feel I can get better is by playing with these girls because each of them are so talented. It’s a job, but I am continually learning so much from all of the players and the coaches and this has just been an incredible experience to be part of.”
Following three-plus weeks of preseason camp, Wenino has solidified herself a spot on the Red Stars’ opening day roster of 22, which includes 18 full-time players and four developmental players.
As a member of the Red Stars’ developmental squad, Wenino is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of playing professional soccer. WPS is the highest level of women’s professional soccer in North America. The inaugural WPS season kicks off on March 29, 2009 and runs through August 22, 2009.
“My main goal while I’m in Chicago is to learn as much as I can and to get better,” added Wenino. “There is a lot of opportunity at practice to get better, including a lot of one-on-ones which help with my game. I just want to be able to be a link on the team that they need by improving my game overall, offensively, defensively, tactically, in every way. I definitely am taking everything in and watching the players in my position that are at the top level and learning from them.”
Wenino, who worked her way up from a walk-on as a freshman at Colorado to a team captain as a senior, wrapped up her career as a two-time first team All-Big 12 selection, a 2007 NSCAA second-team All-Central region pick and the 2008 Big 12 Co-Defensive player of the year.
“Michelle has worked for everything that she has gotten, and that includes playing for the University of Colorado,” said head Colorado soccer coach Bill Hempen. “If her determination to make the full Chicago roster is anything like it was to be a player for us, she is going to have an outstanding professional career. Chicago will not be disappointed that Michelle is a part of their franchise.”
About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)
The mission of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is to be the premier women’s soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured. Play kicks off in the spring of 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. The league will expand in 2010 with the inclusion of Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.