The Western New York Flash of Women’s Professional Soccer selected five players, including Lindsay Taylor and Teresa Noyola from the 2011 NCAA Champions Stanford at Friday’s 2012 WPS Draft. The 2012 WPS Draft was a part of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Kansas City, Kan. 

Taylor, the 6th overall pick and the 1st pick for the Flash in the 2011 WPS Draft, is a dangerous forward who helped the Cardinals win the NCAA Championship in December. Taylor started all 26 matches for Stanford this past season, scoring 20 goals and assisting on 7 others. As a freshman, she was selected to the NSCAA All American. She also made Soccer America, Soccer Buzz, and Top Drawer All Freshman Team. She led the PAC-10 in Goals and Game winning goals. Despite battling injuries in her sophmore year, Taylor still was able to register 11 assists on the year. In her junior campaign, the California native was named to the ALL-PAC 10 first team and was named to the NSCAA All Pacific Region Second Team. Taylor also has international experience, as she was a member of the U.S. U-17 National Team and was recently invited into the US U-23 National Team camp which opens January 15. 

"Lindsay is a quick, athletic player who impressed me at the Final Four. She is dangerous attacking player and I'm excited to work with her," Head Coach Aaran Lines says. 

Another Stanford addition to the WNY squad for the 2012 season is the 2011 Hermann Trophy winner and Mexican International Teresa Noyola who was selected by the Flash as their 2nd pick and 7th overall in the first round. The California native was also named NSCAA All American and second team all American by Soccer Buzz. She was selected NSCAA and Soccer Buzz First team All West Region as well as first team freshman All American by Soccer America, Top Drawer Soccer, Soccer Buzz and First team all PAC and PAC 10 All Freshman Team. In her junior season, Noyola garnered NSCAA First team All American for the second time. She was also named the to All PAC 10 first team and led the squad in assists. The midfielder was a key contributor in Stanford's run to their National Championship, scoring the only goal in their victory over Duke. Noyola brings to the Flash International Experience, debuting for the Mexican National Team on December 10, 2010 against Brazil.  She has also played for the U.S. Youth Internationally, appearing in matches for the U.S. U-20's. 

"Teresa is a creative footballer who can play either as forward or as an offensive midfielder. She's had a standout collegiate career and I hope to bring the best out of her here in WNY," Lines says of Noyola. 

WNY's third selection in the draft, the first pick in the second round (8th overall) is Tori Huster from Florida State University. Huster, a creative and versatile player appeared in 92 matches for the Seminoles, starting an impressive 91 of those games. Huster registered 20 goals and 19 assists for the Noles, consistently producing for the ACC powerhouse. Huster was an All-ACC Second Team (2010), NSCAA Southeast All-Region Third Team (2010) in 2010 and was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team, Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American Third team and Soccer Buzz Southeast Region All-Freshman Team (2008).

She was also selected to the All-ACC Second Team (2010). Internationally, the Ohio native was a member of the U-23 squad that participated in the Four Nations Tournament in Leicester, England, July 7-12, 2010 where she helped the U.S. to tournament victory posting a 2-1-0 record.

"I have seen Tori play live several times and was impressed with her vision and composure on the ball. She is a versatile player who can play throughout the midfield or front line. She will be linking up with a familiar face in Becky Edwards in our midfield which should help with the transition of making the jump to the professional game," Lines adds of Huster. 

Rounding out the third round of the Draft, the Flash selected Tahnai Annis from the University of Florida. In 2011, Annis was second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and in her junior season was selected to the 

National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Performance Subaru All-America fourth team selection, as well as NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-South Region first team and a All-SEC second-team selection. The Ohio native was second in final SEC standings in points (33) and goals (13). As a freshman, Annis was named to the SoccerBuzz.com Freshman All-America second-team and SEC All-Freshman selection. The striker was also third among the Gators with 22 points and shared second with four game-winning goals

"Tahnai is a striker who has a nose for the net and has a solid collegiate career in a competitive conference. I will be looking forward to what she can bring to the table for us come March," Lines says. 

The Flash's last selection in the draft was local WNY product Erica Henderson from West Virginia University. Henderson, a Rochester, NY native, was selected by the Flash as the 22nd overall pick. In 2010, Henderson started 24 matches, earning NSCAA second team All-Northeast region. She helped lead the backline to a school record 14 shutouts. In 2008 & 2009, Henderson appeared in 44 matches either on the backline or as a striker and was named to the Soccer Buzz Freshman all-Mid-Atlantic region and the BIG EAST Championship all-tournament team. 

"I have watched Erica play in the Rochester area over the last few years. She is a versatile player and a true competitor with great character. I will expect her to come into camp and really fight for a spot," Lines says. 

ABOUT THE WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH
The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September of 2010, directly following the club’s decisive W-League Championship as the Buffalo Flash in July of 2010. The Flash play all WPS home games at the Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester NY, home to the Rochester Rhinos. The Flash train out of owner Joe Sahlen’s indoor soccer facility, Sahlen Sports Park, in Elma, NY. The Flash colors are Red, Yellow, and Black, to match the Sahlen entities: Sahlen Packing Co., Sahlen Sports Park, and Team Sahlen racing team. The WNY Flash posted a 13-2-3 record (42 points) in their inaugural campaign, taking first place and the Regular season Championship. On August 27, 2011 the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence to capture the WPS Championship title in front of a record crowd of over 10,000 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium. For season tickets or for more information, please call 716-655-7529 or visit our website, www.wnyflash.com