Former Gators goalkeeper Fraine joins Atlanta Beat of WPS
Monday, April 11, 2011 | Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
Former Gators goalkeeper Katie Fraine has a new team.
Fraine called Florida coach Becky Burleigh on Monday to inform her that she has joined the Atlanta Beat of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league.
Fraine was drafted by the Washington Freedom with the 22nd overall pick in the WPS draft in January. The Freedom later relocated to Boca Raton and is now known as magicJack, one of the more interesting team names in professional sports. The team is sponsored by the Internet telephone company.
Meanwhile, Fraine joins a young Atlanta team that featured 10 players on its opening-day roster with no WPS experience. The Beat lost to the Boston Breakers, 4-1, in its season opener on Saturday. Atlanta's next game is Saturday at home – the team calls the Kennesaw State (Ga.) University Soccer Stadium home – against Sky Blue FC based in the New York/New Jersey metro region.
Fraine finished her UF career last season with a school-record 27 career shutouts and finished second in the SEC with a 0.71 goals-against average.
She won't be the only former Gator playing for the Beat. Former UF standout Heather Mitts is a defender for the Beat. They are joined in the WPS by another former Gator, Abby Wambach of magicJack.
Wambach finished her career in Gainesville as the school's all-time leading goal scorer.
