USF's Lofton-Malachi drafted, then traded, at WPS draft

South Florida goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi was selected with the 39th pick of the Women’s Professional Soccer Draft by the Atlanta Beat before being traded to the Philadelphia Independence for University of Georgia forward Carrie Patterson on Friday afternoon.

Lofton-Malachi was a mainstay for the Bulls for the past three seasons, setting records for most career shutouts (18) and goals against average (1.12). She also started 52 consecutive games for the Bulls to conclude her career.

WPS: Bishop signed by expansion franchise Atlanta

Former Land O' Lakes High and University of Florida standout Stacy Bishop has been signed by Women's Professional Soccer expansion franchise the Atlanta Beat.

A midfielder, Bishop spent the inaugural season of the WPS with the Boston Breakers, where she made six starts and 10 appearances, recording two assists. She is the eighth players acquired by the Beat, who begin play in the 2010 season.

“Stacy is quite versatile,” Beat head coach Gareth O’Sullivan said in the club's press release. “I saw her play for Boston last season, and she has some strong attacking qualities. We are looking to use her as more of a holding midfielder although she does give us many options going forward.”

Bishop, who was a member of the U.S. under-23 squad and a semifinalist for the MAC Herman Trophy, also said she was excited to get the opportunity to be a member of the Beat.

“This really means a lot to me, and I realize that it is a special opportunity," Bishop said. "This is something I always dreamed of doing as a kid, so it’s pretty amazing to be able to do it for a living.”