Oct. 6, 2008

BERKELEY - Former California women's soccer athlete Tracy Hamm was drafted by the Bay Area squad of the Women's Professional Soccer League. Bay Area took Hamm in the fourth round of the draft, which was held Monday in San Francisco.

"I'm more than excited about it," Hamm said. "This is really is a dream come true. To even have this opportunity for the league to start again and when I'm 24 is great. I've worked so hard the past two years and to have it all pay off in the end is incredible.

Hamm was a four-year letterwinner for the Golden Bears and was the leading scorer with nine goals during her freshman year in 2002. As a sophomore in 2003, the Moraga, Calif., native started 12 games, paced the Bears with 40 shots and was an Academic All-Pac-10 honorable-mention selection. Hamm started every game in her final two years at Berkeley and was a key factor in Cal's defense. Hamm amassed 12 career goals.

"I selected her because I think she's going to have an immediate impact in this league," Bay Area team head coach Albertin Montoya said. "I see Tracy as one of the top defenders in the country right now. She has incredible pace, she's strong and powerful, and these are things you can't teach."

Hamm has stayed with soccer since graduating in 2006 by playing with the California Storm as well as coaching several teams. Hamm currently works for a marketing firm in San Francisco.

The Women's Professional Soccer League is starting in April 2009 after the Women's United Soccer Association folded in 2003. The WPS held an initial draft and an international draft before the general draft on Monday.