Local soccer players draw interest from Red Stars

Following two days of open tryouts, the Chicago Red Stars have extended invitations to seven players to attend the team's preseason camp.

Of the players invited to camp to compete for a roster spot, four have connections to the Chicago area: Molly Uyenishi of Hawthorn Woods, Tina Estrada of DePaul, Erin Walter of DePaul, and Shannon Schneeman of Northwestern.

They were chosen from a pool of approximately 70 players who showcased their soccer abilities at the tryouts for the new women's pro soccer franchise.

Uyenishi helped her Eclipse Select club team win the 2005 National Championship, and had stellar career at Colorado College, where she was voted team MVP in 2007.

"Molly impressed us," said assistant coach Denise Reddy. "She is a solid distributor of the ball who looks to use her technical abilities to play-make for the team."

"Growing up, I watched the WUSA, and I always hoped there would be a team in Chicago," Uyenishi said. "I am so excited by this opportunity. It's really cool that the league is back, and that it is so close to home."

Estrada, an assistant women's soccer coach for the DePaul Blue Demons, was a three-time All West Coast Conference honoree at Santa Clara University.

Walter, an All Conference USA selection while at DePaul, was the captain of the Blue Demons twice and set the team's single season assist record in 2004.

Schneeman captained the Northwestern women's soccer team in 2007 and was a two-time All Big 10 honoree as she led the Wildcats in game-winning goals in her senior season.

There are 28 players vying for 22 spots with the pro team. The other players who earned invitations to the Red Stars preseason camp are Bonnie Young, Michelle Wenino, and Sarah Wagenfuhr.

Each WPS team is allowed to enter the preseason with 28 players. Rosters must be trimmed to 18 players, plus four developmental players by March 24.