ST. LOUIS, MO (April 11, 2010) – Saint Louis Athletica forward Eniola Aluko has been named Women’s Professional Soccer’s first WPS Player of the Week in 2010 after scoring both goals in Athletica’s 2-0 triumph Sunday over FC Gold Pride. This is the second time Aluko has won the honor. She was Player of the Week in Week 12 of WPS’s inaugural season. Past Athletica winners of this honor include midfielder Lori Chalupny in Week 7 and goalkeeper Jillian Loyden in Week 9 of the 2009 season.

"I am delighted to get the first player of the week accolade of 2010,” said Aluko upon being informed of the award. “I am so pleased that I was able to contribute to what was a great team performance against FC Gold Pride at the weekend. I aim to score more goals than last season, so this will give me confidence to keep scoring."

Aluko scored in the 40th and 62nd minutes, both goals coming on assists from Athletica newcomer Shannon Boxx, who played for the Los Angeles Sol in 2009. Aluko’s goals were the sixth and seventh of her WPS career. Saint Louis is 5-0-1 in games where Aluko scores.

“I am proud that Eniola has been honored with this award,” stated Head Coach Jorge Barcellos. “She deserves it. I want to congratulate her and our entire team on a tremendous win to begin the year.”

Aluko tallied six goals in 2009, which was good for third best in the WPS. She is now one-third of the way to that total after just 90 minutes of action this year.

Aluko and Athletica return to action this Saturday evening, April 17, at Toyota Park in Chicago when they visit the Red Stars for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off. Athletica return home on Sunday, April 25, to face the Boston Breakers at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Kick-off is 5:00 p.m. and the match will be televised live on the Fox Soccer Channel.

The WPS Player of Week is selected by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.

2010 Winners Week 1: Eniola Aluko (Saint Louis)

2009 Winners
Week 1: Aya Miyama (Los Angeles)
Week 2: Marta (Los Angeles)
Week 3: Kelly Smith (Boston)
Week 4: Aly Wagner (Los Angeles)
Week 5: Abby Wambach (Washington)
Week 6: Sonia Bompastor (Washington)
Week 7: Lori Chalupny (Saint Louis)
Week 8: Christine Sinclair (FC Gold Pride)
Week 9: Jillian Loyden (Saint Louis)
Week 10: Shannon Boxx (Los Angeles)
Week 11: Camille Abily (Los Angeles)
Week 12: Eniola Aluko (Saint Louis)
Week 13: Erin McLeod (Washington)
Week 14: Marta (Los Angeles)
Week 15: Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago)
Week 16: Cristiane (Chicago)
Week 17: Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC)
Week 18: Abby Wambach (Washington)
Week 19: Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago)
Week 20: Abby Wambach (Washington)
Week 21: Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC)
Week 22: Jenni Branam (Sky Blue FC)
WPS Championship MVP: Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC)

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)
Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.