KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee women’s soccer player Jaimel Johnson was selected by the Boston Breakers in the first Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft, held in St. Louis, Mo., on Friday. The graduating senior became the No. 70 pick, joining Southern Cal’s Amy Rodriguez and Ashley Nick, and Florida’s Stacy Bishop among the Breakers’ 10 drafted players.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Johnson capped her collegiate career with the 2008 Southeastern Conference Tournament title. After allowing just two goals and making 13 saves through three matches and stopping two penalty kicks in a semifinal shootout with LSU, Johnson earned tournament most valuable player honors.

During her career, Johnson made her presence felt both on the pitch and in the record book at Tennessee. In 2007, she became Tennessee’s third National Soccer Coaches Association All-American, and is the only keeper in program history to earn the distinction. She finished her time in the Orange and White ranked third all-time in matches played (61), matches started (60) and victories (31). Johnson also ranks second in career minutes (5,484), saves (253), shutouts (20) and goals against average (1.07).

Johnson was the ninth keeper taken in the draft and was selected as the last pick of the 10th and final round. The two-time all-conference selection was one of just five former Southeastern Conference players picked in the draft, joining Florida’s Ameera Abdullah, Megan Kerns and Bishop, and Auburn keeper Allison Whitworth. Johnson also became the second Tennessee representative in the league. Former Lady Vol and current assistant coach Keeley Dowling was picked by Sky Blue FC, which will play in Sommerset, N.J., in the general draft in October.

Rodriguez was the No. 1 overall pick, bringing both an Olympic gold medal and the 2007 national championship to a Boston squad that also boasts U.S. National Team players Kristine Lilly and Heather Mitts, and the player rights to English international Kelly Smith. The current Breakers’ roster includes just one keeper, Kristin Luckenbill, who has made 14 appearances with the national team. Boston, however, also was assigned player rights to Irish National Team starter Emma Byrne, who would likely be the starter if she signs with the team.

Notre Dame had the most picks, with six players appearing in the draft, including 2008 seniors Brittany Bock and two-time M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner Kerri Hanks. North Carolina joined the Fighting Irish with two first-round picks, and finished with five total drafted players. Portland midfielder Megan Rapinoe and UCLA midfielder Christina DiMartino rounded out the top three picks behind Rodriguez.

WPS play kicks off in the spring of 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.  The league expects to expand in 2010 with the addition of Atlanta and Philadelphia, while working to secure a facility for a Dallas team for the second WPS season.