With only two selections, none in the first two rounds, and nearly every roster spot occupied, it was obvious that Sky Blue was not going to be a major player in the 2011 WPS Draft. By my count, Sky Blue already had 18 players on their roster for the coming season. So SBFC was looking for depth more than anything else in this draft and they tapped into the Big Twelve Conference for both selections.
With the 16th overall pick, they chose forward Alyssa Mautz from Texas A & M. Mautz started her college career at St. Louis University, before transferring to A & M for her sophomore season. Like five other players of the draft class of 2011, Mautz was a member of the 2008 U-20 World Cup champions. She started one match for that team at the World Cup.
Mautz scored 26 career goals in college, 12 of them coming in her senior season for the Aggies. She can play both forward and midfielder. She has decent speed and has improved her finishing abilities as her college career progressed. She has also proven to be a top notch passer and assisted on five goals in her senior season.
Lauren Alkek was Sky Blue's selection at the 21st overall pick. Alkek played outside right back for the Oklahoma Sooners. Although she didn't score much in college, only one goal and two assists over her career, she likes to use her speed to get forward into the attack making flank runs up the right side.
Alkek is also a solid defender and a physical player who can handle herself on the pitch. She has a powerful right leg that can be a weapon when striking balls out of the back. She is also known for her solid work ethic, both in games and in practice.
With only two lower selections in this draft, Sky Blue wasn't going to make a big splash. Still, they got two solid players out of the Big Twelve, both of whom have a blue-collar mentality. It will be interesting to see how both work into Sky Blue's plans for next season.
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