Kelly Smith Drafter by Philadelphia Team of WUSA
10/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The former Seton Hall star completed her first season coaching with the Pirates. A 2000 graduate of Seton Hall, Smith is the NCAA's career leader in goals per game (1.49) and points per game (3.41). An All-America, she was a three-time selection as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, was the runner-up for the 1999 Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award, and finished third in the voting for the 1999 Hermann Trophy. Smith tallied 76 goals and 174 points in just three seasons at Seton Hall and was the nation's leading scorer twice (1999, 1998).
One of the greatest athletes in Seton Hall history, Smith received the University's highest honor when her uniform number (6) was retired. She became the first non-basketball playing athlete and just the third female athlete at the school to receive the honor.
A member of England's National Team since the age of 16, Smith played for England on October 30 in the Women's European Cup Championship Qualifier playoff game in the Ukraine. Smith also played two matches for the World All-Stars in the Discovery Health Channel Soccer Challenge two weeks ago and is an alternate for the remainder of the tour.
Smith and Fitschen join the Philadelphia team's previously allocated players - midfielder Lorrie Fair, goalkeeper Saskia Webber, and forward Mandy Clemens. Fitschen, a sweeper, has played for the German National Team since 1986 and has been part of three European championship squads.
The WUSA will launch next April in eight team markets: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Carolina, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, DC.
