Aiming for the big leagues

Senior forward Dolly Enneking and goalkeeper Cris Lewis tried out for the Women’s Professional Soccer franchise Atlanta Beat on Nov. 21–22 at the Kennesaw State campus in Georgia.

Enneking ended her career in the South Park Blocks this season as Portland State’s all-time leading goal scorer and the Big Sky’s Offensive MVP, while team co-captain Lewis ended her career as the Defensive MVP after tallying eight shutouts on the season and breaking Portland State’s career wins, saves and shutouts records.

“I was very excited about this tryout. I knew that it was going to be a great experience,” Lewis said.

The Atlanta Beat, who will play its first WPS season in 2010, is one of two exhibition teams to be added to the seven-team league roster. WPS is widely considered to be the top-level professional women’s soccer league in the U.S.

“It’s a great opportunity for them,” head coach Laura Schott, and Big Sky Coach of the Year, said in a statement released by the school. “They both had fantastic years, and if they can both continue their careers, this is a great opportunity to do so.”

The tryout spanned two days, and both student-athletes got their chance to showcase their skills.

“We were guaranteed two games. One was 100 minutes, and the other was a regular 90-minute game,” Lewis said. “As a keeper, I was also involved in a keeper-only session on Sunday.”

Both Enneking and Lewis were unable to make the final cut during the tryouts, though both remain optimistic.

“I felt like we gave it our best effort and we’re looking to continue to try out for other teams,” Lewis said. “Most of these teams are looking to get most of their players from the draft in January, so any open tryout is a chance to get my foot into the door and have my name out there. Maybe Santa can bring me a couple plane tickets for Christmas.”