Former FP Standout is First Raven ever selected by second-year League

RINDGE, N.H. (February 11, 2002) - Former Franklin Pierce All-American Minna Mustonen was selected by the New York Power in the first round of the 2002 WUSA Draft in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., today.

Mustonen, a native of Helsinki, Finland, is the first player in the Franklin Pierce women's soccer program's rich history to be selected by the WUSA, which begins its second season in April. The Power made her the sixth overall pick of the draft and the only Division II player selected through the first four rounds and the first of just two small college players picked.

Mustonen was a two-time All-American selection at Franklin Pierce and finished her three-year career at the College ranked third on its career scoring list with 171 points. She also ranks second all-time with 70 career goals and her 31 career assists ranks tenth all-time.

Mustonen earned All-Conference honors all three-years at Franklin Pierce, including New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Player of the Year accolades in 1999 as she led the Ravens to a 20-1 record and its NCAA Division II record fifth National Championship.

Last summer Mustonen starred for the W-1 League's Boston Renegades, leading them to the National Championship as she tallied two goals and two assists in the 5-1 win over the Vancouver Breakers in the title game.

Mustonen becomes the second player in school history (both in the last year) to be drafted by a major professional sports league. Franklin Pierce left-handed pitcher Justin Blood, a native of nearby Swanzey, N.H., was selected in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft by the Seattle Mariners last June.