Nov. 17, 2008

FULLERTON, CA - Former Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and senior defender Jenae Gibbens have each accepted invitations to attend the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) West Coast Combine in San Diego on Dec. 11-14.

Bardsley and Gibbens are part of the initial group announced by the league that will participate in the invitation-only event in advance of the 2009 WPS Draft which will be held on Jan. 16 in St. Louis.

A maximum of 72 players will participate in the San Diego combine, a group that includes graduating college seniors who have completed their eligibility following the conclusion of the 2008 season and other national and international talent from top level amateur leagues such as the W-League and WPSL.

An East Coast Combine is scheduled for Dec. 18-21 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

The duo is looking to join another former Titan in the league after Kandace Wilson (2002-05) was drafted by the league's yet-to-be named Bay Area franchise on Oct. 6.

Bardsley, who competed for the Titans from 2002-06, was a three-time Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and continues to hold five career records: goals against average (0.84), victories (47), saves (312), shutouts (26), and minutes played (6,395).

Currently an assistant coach at the University of San Diego, Bardsley had her best season as a junior in 2005, posting a 0.64 goals against average, 10 shutouts, and 16 wins while helping Fullerton to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Gibbens is a two-time All-Big West First-Team honoree and the conference's 2007 Defender of the Year. As a senior, she finished tied for the team lead in scoring with 13 points on three goals (all game-winners) and seven assists while starting all 19 matches.

A two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District nominee who was named a third-team Academic All-American as a junior, Gibbens is also one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in honor of her contributions on and off the field (vote for Jenae by clicking here).

During the combines, players will undergo general training and physical testing and will be assigned to specific teams with the opportunity to play in three games over the course of three days. Beginning in February, teams will also hold local try-outs in their respective markets.

Participating in the WPS East or West Coast Combine is not mandatory for a player to be eligible for the 2009 WPS Draft or a future roster spot on a WPS team. The full list of WPS Combine attendees will be released prior to the events.

A complete list of the initial group of invitees is available by clicking here.