Alexandra Sahlen
FullnameAlexandra Elizabeth Sahlen[1]
Birth dateSeptember 25, 1982 (age 43)
Birth placeWilliamsville, New York, U.S.
Height1.64 m (5 ft)
PositionDefender
Collegeyears 12000–2003
College 1Niagara Purple Eagles
Years 12005–2008
Clubs 1Rochester Ravens
Caps 133
Goals 10
Years 22009–2010
Clubs 2Buffalo Flash
Caps 222
Goals 20
Years 32011–2013
Clubs 3Western New York Flash
Caps 318
Goals 30
NtupdateApril 14, 2013

Alexandra Elizabeth Sahlen (born September 25, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player and entrepreneur. She played for the Western New York Flash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and was also the club's president.[2]

Early life

Sahlen was born and raised in Williamsville, New York, a small suburb of Buffalo.[3]

Niagara University

Sahlen attended Niagara University from 2000 to 2003 where she played for the Purple Eagles. She started 55 matches and completed her collegiate career with six goals and 10 assists, ranking 20th on the school's all-time scoring list. Sahlen helped guide the Purple Eagles to their first MAAC Championship appearance in 2003.

Playing career

Club

Rochester Ravens

Sahlen played with W-League club Rochester Ravens from 2005 until 2008, when a stress fracture in the first game of the season ruled her out of contention.[4]

Western New York Flash

Along with husband Aaran Lines, Sahlen then founded a new professional W-League club, Buffalo Flash, in time for the 2009 season.[5] Sahlen played for the Flash as they won the 2010 W-League championship and remained on the playing roster when the team changed its name to Western New York Flash and entered Women's Professional Soccer, claiming the 2011 WPS Championship.[6][7]

Sahlen missed the 2014 NWSL season due to being pregnant[8] and was not on the Flash roster for the 2015 season.[9]

Coaching career

Sahlen was assistant coach for the women's soccer team at her alma mater, Niagara University from 2004 to 2011.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Candidates for Degrees – The College of Business Administration: Bachelor of Science (Commerce)". Undergraduate Commencement. Niagara University. May 16, 2004. p. 4.
  2. ^ "Letter from the president: WNY's Alex Sahlen checks in". Equalizer Soccer. February 16, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  3. ^ "ALEX SAHLEN RETURNS TO THE FLASH". Western New York Flash. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  4. ^ "Sahlen's Buffalo Flash join W-League in 2009". TheRaceSite.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  5. ^ Jenna Pel (2011-03-24). "An Interview With WNY Flash Head Coach Aaran Lines". All White Kit. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  6. ^ "Sahlen fights for women's soccer league". Niagara Gazette. December 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  7. ^ "Family ties don't stop the Flash's Alex Sahlen from doing a great job". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  8. ^ "Western New York Flash defender Alex Sahlen to miss 2014 season due to pregnancy". Soccer Wire. February 19, 2014. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  9. ^ "2015 WNY Flash Roster". Western New York Flash. Archived March 8, 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ "Former NU Stars Share Spotlight With World's Best". Niagara University. June 24, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2013.