KANSAS CITY, MO (Jan. 13, 2012) –  The Boston Breakers entered the 2012 WPS Draft with a few things in mind - add to their attack and strengthen their defense, and they got just that.

With their first pick, the No. 3 overall selection, the Breakers drafted University of San Diego forward Stephanie Ochs. The 5-foot, 9-inch forward scored 25 goals and had 31 assists for the Toreros during her four-year career. A two-time NSCAA All-America selection, Ochs helped lead San Diego to the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. The Toreros had a tremendous regular season, edging out Portland and Santa Clara to take the West Coast Conference title.

“I think Stephanie Ochs' best soccer is still ahead of her. A lot of people are excited about her and her potential," Breakers Head Coach Lisa Cole said. "She has great athleticism. She is somebody who has taken her team and made them better, and that's important."

“I am really excited," Ochs said. "This was unexpected to get drafted this high. I was really shocked, and at the same time I am just really excited for the opportunity.”

With their second pick in the Draft, the Breakers selected University of North Carolina forward Courtney Jones. The 5-8 forward scored 36 goals and 32 assists in her career as a Tar Heel. A former teammate of current Breakers midfielder Meghan Klingenberg, Jones helped lead the Tar Heels to two NCAA Championships. She is one of only 19 players in UNC history to score more than 30 goals and have more than 30 assists.

The Breakers took Oklahoma State University defender Melinda Mercado with their third pick (No. 16 overall). A 2011 NSCAA First-Team All-America selection, Mercado started 26 games at center back in 2011, and she played more than 2,300 minutes, tops on the team.

"I'm very excited to get a chance to further my soccer career with the Boston Breakers," Mercado said. "This is an amazing opportunity, and I am very blessed to get the opportunity to represent Oklahoma State at the next level."

With their final pick of the WPS Draft, the Breakers selected local product Jessica Luscinski, a two-time America East Striker of the Year with Boston University. The Bedford, N.H., native scored 29 goals and 24 assists in her career for the Terriers.

The 2012 WPS Draft was held Friday afternoon at the NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

This offseason, the Breakers have signed three players, two off the WPS free agent market - U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Heather O’Reilly, who played the first three years in WPS with Sky Blue FC, and Olympic gold medalist defender Cat Whitehill, one of the most capped defenders with the U.S. Their most recent signee - Kyah Simon - is one of the stars of the Australian Women’s National Team and is currently playing for Sydney FC of the Westfield W-League in Australia.

All players will report to preseason on March 1, 2012. Opening weekend is tentatively scheduled for April 14-15.

The current Boston Breakers roster as of Jan. 13, 2012:

Keepers
Alyssa Naeher
Kati-Jo Spisak

Defenders
Taryn Hemmings
Elli Reed
Alex Scott (co-captain)
Cat Whitehill

Midfielders
Meghan Klingenberg
Megan Mischler
Heather O’Reilly
Leslie Osborne (co-captain)
Kelly Smith
Keelin Winters

Forwards
Katie Schoepfer
Kyah Simon