Jan. 15, 2010

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Boston University women's soccer team saw two of its senior stars get drafted in the Women's Professional Soccer league on Friday afternoon. Mara Osher was the seventh pick in the sixth round for the Washington Freedom, while Casey Brown was the fifth pick of the seventh round for the Boston Breakers. It's the first time in program history two Terriers have been drafted by a women's professional soccer team in the same year.

Both student-athletes will have the opportunity to play close to home as Osher, a native of Rockville, Md., will suit up just 20 minutes away from her hometown, and Brown will enjoy the same luxury as she grew up in Natick, Mass., 30 minutes outside of Boston.

"The staff and I are thrilled for Mara and Casey," said head coach Nancy Feldman. "They have both worked hard throughout their careers here at BU and deserve this opportunity to play at the next level. They both play unselfishly and always put the team ahead of themselves. We will continue to closely follow their careers in the professional ranks."

Osher has been a standout performer for the Terriers since her arrival on campus and proved to be one of the most versatile on the field. She came to BU as an attacking player and found her niche in the midfield with her pinpoint service to the forwards. As a senior, she transitioned to defense where she used her one-on-one skills to help anchor one the nation's stingiest backlines with 12 shutouts and a 0.66 goals-against average, which rank 24th and 23rd in the NCAA, respectively. In her final season in the scarlet and white, Osher was named to the America East All-Conference Second Team.

"I am very excited and this is something that I have worked towards for as long as I can remember," said Osher. "I am happy for the program, for Boston University and for Casey as well. I'm looking to representing the school in this next step in my career."

Recently Brown became the first Terrier to earn NSCAA All-America honors since Meghann Cook accomplished the feat in 2005. The Natick, Mass., native established herself as one of the nation's stingiest defenders in 2009, earning her third straight America East Defender of the Year honor - an AE first. A senior tri-captain, Brown has been a stabilizing force on defense as conference foes have only recorded 17 goals since her arrival on campus. She is a three-time America East All-Conference First Team honoree and a three-time member of the NSCAA All-Northeast region teams.

"I am so thrilled," said Brown. "I have a rush of emotions running through me right now. I couldn't be happier about being selected by the Breakers. Having played at Boston University and growing up in Natick, Mass., just makes it even more special to have the opportunity to play close to home."