MSU Soccer’s Sullivan Drafted by Portland of NWSL

January 17, 2014

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – Elisabeth Sullivan’s heralded soccer career continued Friday when she was selected by the Portland Thorns in the fourth round of the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft.

(HailState.com/Bill Simmonds)

The two-time second team All-SEC performer becomes the first Bulldog to be drafted, and she heads to the 2013 NWSL champion after a trade landed the Thorns the pick. Sullivan, one of two SEC players selected in the draft, will have two of the game’s best to develop under as the Thorns’ roster also includes United States international Alex Morgan and Canada standout Christine Sinclair.

“I am excited and honored to be joining the Thorns family and to have the opportunity to continue playing against some of the best players in the world in a great soccer city like Portland,” the Memphis native said. “I have to thank the fans, my coaches and my teammates for the love and support they have shown me the last four years. Mississippi State will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Sullivan certainly left her mark at Mississippi State as she shattered the career top marks for goals and points with 39 and 92, respectively. The Memphis native posted the single-season goals record with her 16th of the year with 1:30 left in her final collegiate match.

Her multiple league honors made her the first MSU player to receive multiple all-league honors since Meredith Riekert garnered the accolades in 1995 and 1997.

“To be considered draftable is an honor in itself, but the fact that Elisabeth was drafted to play versus the best players in the world is an honor for her and Mississippi State University,” Bulldog coach Aaron Gordon said. “She was one of only two from our league selected which is a tremendous achievement. For Elisabeth, this is a reward for the hard work she has put in during her career. Because of how much she devoted to developing her skills as a player, she put herself in a position to be recognized as a great soccer player.”

In her senior season at MSU, Sullivan notched the third-most points in school history with 34. She dominated SEC competition by netting eight goals and assisting another for 17 points.

The three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection leaves the Bulldogs with eight multiple-goal games and eight game-winning assists, both school highs.