Former Lady'Back Williford leads heatwave

FAYETTEVILLE – Julie Williford, a former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer player and North Little Rock native, led the ‘W’ League’s Arizona Heatwave, a professional women’s soccer team, in scoring for the 2005 season with 11 goals and two assists for 24 points.

Williford, Arkansas’ all-time leading goal scorer, is in her first full season with the Heatwave after stints during the off seasons of her junior and senior years. Playing in 12 matches, Williford averaged two points per contest to not just lead her squad but also rank among the top players in the league. Her 24 points place her in a tie for sixth and the 11 goals rank her tied for third in the ‘W’ League.

“We are very proud of Julie for what she did this season,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “Julie had a great career at Arkansas and it is nice to see that she has been able to extend that to the professional ranks. Her accomplishments go hand in hand with what we as coaches are trying to do and that is make Arkansas soccer a household name.”

The ‘W’ League is full of former WUSA players including former U.S. National team player and Florida standout Danielle Fotopoulos who still stands as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history. Fotopoulos ranked 10th in the league in both points and goals for the Central Florida Krush.

Due to academic commitments at the University, Williford has been forced to miss the final two games of Arizona’s regular season, but could return for the playoffs should her squad move on.

For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas Women’s Athletics, visit www.ladybacks.com.