FULLERTON, Calif. – Christina Burkenroad, who wrapped up her collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton in the fall, was selected in the 2nd round as the 15th overall pick of the National Women's Soccer League Draft by the Orlando Pride Friday morning.
"I am so thankful to be able to continue to play the sport that I love at the next level," Burkenroad said. "I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity. I am so excited to get started!"
The midfielder will join the Pride, a team which is scheduled to join the National Women's Soccer League for the 2016 season. The NWSL is the top level of women's soccer in the United States.
Burkenroad had an outstanding career with the Titans that concluded with an extraordinary senior season in which she scored 11 goals, three of which were game-winners, 11 assists and 33 points. She set a pair of Big West Conference Tournament records after notching a hat trick in the semifinal contest and eventually helped the Titans to their third straight Big West Conference Tournament title en route to being named MVP of the tournament.
The San Diego, Calif., native led the conference in assists and posted a school-record seven game-winning helpers on the year. She concluded her collegiate career nationally ranked in the top 50 in assists per game (0.52), points per game (1.57), total assists (11) and total points (33).
"This is a great accomplishment for Christina and an extremely proud moment for our program as a whole," Cal State Fullerton head women's soccer coach Demian Brown said. "I am very proud of Christina and wish her the best of luck on her new journey."
Burkenroad joins former Titans Karen Bardsley, Kandace Wilson and Ann Marie Tangorra as the fourth professional women's soccer player to come out of Cal State Fullerton. Bardsley played from 2009-11 with the Women's Pro Soccer League (WPSL) and is currently playing in the English FA WSL with Manchester City. Wilson played for the FC Gold Pride of the WPSL from 2009-10 and Tangorra played a year in Switzerland for FC Neunkirch.