Colorado University Athletics
Marshall Drafted In WPS First Round
PHILADELPHIA - Several days before Friday's Women's Professional Soccer draft, Nikki Marshall got word from the Washington Freedom coaching staff that the organization had her in their sights as a first- or second-round pick.
Confirmation of that plan came Thursday night - but with a stipulation: Keep it quiet.
"Yeah, it was a little tough not to tell anyone," the former Colorado star said Friday morning with a laugh.
Shortly before 9 a.m. MST, the soccer world knew their secret.
The Freedom made Marshall the seventh overall pick of the 2010 WPS draft, fulfilling one of her childhood dreams and making her the Buffaloes' inaugural first-round selection.
"She deserves it," CU head coach Bill Hempen said. "Somebody did their homework and found out the package she brings to a program. She's one of the best."
"It's absolutely been one of my dreams," said Marshall, of Mead, Colo. "Along with playing in the Olympics, it's something I've been working hard for for a long, long time.
"The past couple of years have been incredible for me . . . winning the World Cup, being drafted in the first round. It all hasn't sunk in yet; it's so great and exciting."
One of just seven players invited to attend the draft in person, Marshall made the trip to Philadelphia with her mother, Kelly. After her selection, she placed telephone calls to her father, sister and other immediate family members, her boyfriend and, of course, Hempen and assistant coach Paul Hogan.
"(Hempen) said he was proud of me and would try to see a couple of our games in Washington," Marshall said, adding that camp opens March 1 with the 2010 season opener set for April 10 against the Boston Breakers. "Those dates are already on my calendar."
Marshall's new team, based in the nation's capital, went 8-7-5 during the 2009 season and is one of the WPS teams held over from the original women's soccer professional league, the WUSA.
"I want to make an impact on this league and on this team," said Marshall. "I cannot be more elated to play with (U.S. National Team standouts) Cat Whitehill and Abby Wambach."
Marshall is no stranger to hard work, and her decorated CU career offers evidence that it pays. She believes it also will pay dividends in the WPS.
"There's always that fear in the back of my mind that I won't be able to play at this level," she said. "But I'm going to work my tail off . . . it's a new level for me and I know at times I'm going to struggle. But I hope I can fit in and make an impact on the team."
Those who followed her at CU have no doubt that her impact will be quick and significant. For three consecutive years she was named First Team NSCAA All-Central Region, while earning Second Team All-Central Region honors during her freshman year as a Buffalo. Marshall owns four First Team All-Big 12 honors (2006-09) as well as being named CU Athlete of the Week six times and Big 12 Player of the Week on three occasions.
She led Colorado in scoring in 2009 with eight goals and 17 points, and is CU's all-time leader in scoring with 93 points and 42 goals.
Marshall has spent considerable time playing internationally as a member of the U.S. National Team's U-20 and U-23 programs. Most recently, she played for the U.S. in February on the U-23 side when the Americans won three straight matches and the championship of the Four Nations Tournament in La Serena, Chile, with victories over England, Norway and Chile.
In December of 2009 she helped the U.S. win a U-20 World Cup and was named Sierra Mist Woman of the Match (MVP) in the final against North Korea. She played every minute of every game in the World Cup.
"I think when she got the taste of a higher level, it made her more determined to go as far as she possibly could," Hempen said. "It's something she's worked for. A top 10 draft pick in the WPS, that's a pretty big deal for Nikki and for our program and certainly lets people know we have something going on at Colorado."
For more information on the Washington Freedom please visit www.womensprosoccer.com/dc.
CUBuffs.com Contributing Editor B.G. Brooks contributed to this story. Special thanks to Jennifer Brunson of the Washington Freedom for her help and contributions as well.