Pepperdine University Waves soccer player Roxanne Barker has been drafted by the Portland Thorns FC in the fourth round of the 2013 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Barker, an Irvine native, is a four-year starter now wrapping up a record-setting career in Malibu. She is ranked first in wins and starts, with 47 and 79 respectively, and second in goals against average (.87), shutouts (31.0), saves (311) and save percentage (.816) in school history. The Pepperdine student was also a member of the 2012 South African Olympic team.
“We’re incredibly proud and pleased that Roxy got drafted,” Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward said. “We are excited that the rest of the country will now get to witness what we have been privy to over the last four years: a world class goalkeeper and human being.”
Barker is the first Pepperdine player to be drafted by a professional domestic soccer league since former Wave Susan Palmer was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 WUSA draft by the San Diego Spirit.