PHILADELPHIA - Two LSU soccer players are ready to take their game to the next level after being selected in the Top 30 picks of the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer Draft held Friday in Philadelphia in conjunction with the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Annual Convention.

All-American Malorie Rutledge became the first ever draft selection by the Philadelphia Independence as a professional franchise as the 13th overall pick and the second pick of the second round.

All-SEC standout Melissa Clarke followed Rutledge as the 29th overall selection and the ninth pick of the third round by the Sky Blue FC of New York.

"We're very proud of both Malorie and Melissa for the opportunity they have been given to continue their development at the professional level as part of the WPS," said LSU head coach Brian Lee. "They are beginning to reap the rewards of all the hard work they've put into improving in our program over the last four or five years. This is a special day for these young ladies and for the LSU soccer program."

With her selection, Rutledge became the highest draft pick for the Southeastern Conference in the brief two-year history of the WPS. Florida's Ameera Abdullah was the 31st overall selection in last year's draft.

Rutledge, a consensus All-American and a three-time First-Team All-SEC selection, was unable to join her new club on Draft Day as she is currently in Carson, Calif., training with the Under-23 U.S. Women's National Team. The Sharpsburg, Ga., native also earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons as the most dominant attacking player in the league.

With a three-hour time difference separating Rutledge from the events in Philadelphia, she said she got an early start to her day in order to follow the draft live with some of her fellow teammates.

"A bunch of us woke up at 6:30 a.m. to start watching the draft on Twitter. I was anxious all morning and had no idea what team might pick me and how long I would have to wait," Rutledge said. "I was actually sitting in the lobby all by myself when I found out on Twitter that Philadelphia took me. After that, I got a call from Coach (Paul) Riley and the general manager congratulating me. I was just in shock.

"I give all the credit to Brian (Lee) and the LSU staff for helping me get to where I am today. I have come so far since my freshman season to the point where I'm now a pro soccer player training with the national team. My experience at LSU has really helped teach me how to be a better player on and off the field."

Rutledge also described the moment when she realized that Philadelphia had made her the first pick in the history of the franchise.

"That really didn't hit me at first. I was just anxious to find out where I might be going," Rutledge said. "It was after I got picked by Philadelphia that one of my teammates here pointed out to me that I was their first ever draft pick. That's an incredible feeling. That's one of those things that will always stick with me in my life. I really couldn't be happier right now."

Philadelphia Independence head coach Paul Riley said he believes Rutledge is a perfect fit and exactly the kind of player the franchise wanted to select with its first ever draft pick.
 
"We are very excited to add such a quality forward as our first ever franchise pick," Riley said. "Malorie is quick, great one-on-one and can score goals. She has all the tools to be a top forward, and WPS will be a terrific venue for her to showcase her talents. Preseason starts in six weeks and Malorie will be amongst the top players in the world. We're optimistic she will be able to compete against the world's best."

After Rutledge became the first LSU soccer player drafted into Women's Professional Soccer, Clarke was contacted by the Sky Blue FC front office and informed that she would soon be selected with the last pick of the third round and the team's third draft pick of the day.

Clarke, an attacking midfielder from Norcross, Ga., was also a three-time All-SEC performer in five years at LSU while establishing herself as a dominant force in the attack.

"I was really surprised. I didn't expect that call when it happened," Clarke said. "I thought that I might get picked, but I had no idea when or where I might get picked. It's exciting to have the opportunity to play in New York. It will definitely be a big change for me, but I like change and am looking forward to it.

"I feel like playing at LSU will help me make the transition. My time here at LSU has helped me become a much smarter player in all aspects, not just the game itself. I've also had the chance to compete with the best teams in the country every year. That is something that will definitely help me when making that step up to the professional level. I appreciate Sky Blue FC for giving me this opportunity."