sport.wikisort.org - Athlete

Kaleigh Nicole Kurtz (born September 9, 1994) is an American soccer defender who plays for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League and Canberra United in the Australian W-League.

Kaleigh Kurtz

Kurtz with Canberra United in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Kaleigh Nicole Kurtz[1]
Date of birth	(1994-09-09) September 9, 1994 (age 28)
Place of birth	Greer, South Carolina, United States
Height	173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current team	North Carolina Courage
Number	3
Youth career
2004-2012	Carolina Elite Soccer Academy
2009–2012	Riverside High School
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013	Richmond Spiders	18	(0)
2014–2016	South Carolina Gamecocks	69	(2)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	Östersunds DFF	12	(0)
2018–	North Carolina Courage	57	(3)
2019–2020	→ Canberra United (loan)	11	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:30, 24 September 2022 (UTC)

Early life

Kurtz grew up in Greer, South Carolina. She started playing soccer at the age of four in the local YMCA league, switching to the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy(CESA) when she was 9. She was a top swimmer in her division growing up, competing alongside her sister for Eastside Aquatic Club. Her family's passion towards fitness and running lead her to racing 5ks. She competed in multiple races, coming in first place for overall females 3 times. In soccer she has almost always played the position of defender, specifically centre back. She attended high school at Riverside High school, where she was a three-year All-State winner. Going into her junior year of high school, Kurtz broke her femur which ultimately affected her college recruiting prospects.[2]

College career

For her freshman year of university Kurtz attended the University of Richmond during the 2013–2014 academic year.[3] After a season in which she started 18 games, she transferred to the University of South Carolina.[1] Kurtz went on to make 69 appearances for the Gamecocks. Her senior year she was named a First Team NSCAA All-American and First Team Scholar All-American, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and a MAC Herman Trophy Semifinalist.

Club career

Östersunds Dff

Following college, Kurtz played for Östersunds Dff in the Swedish Elitettan, fulfilling her desire to play overseas. She made 12 appearances and captained the side.[4][5]

North Carolina Courage

Kurtz was a non-roster invitee during the 2018 Carolina preseason. She signed with the Courage in March 2018.[6][7] She debuted on April 18, 2018, starting at center back against the OL Reign. She made 6 appearances in the 2018 regular season, as well as 2 in the 2018 Women's International Champions Cup. Kurtz' option for 2019 was picked up in October 2018.[8]

Canberra United

Kurtz spent the NWSL off season of 2019–2020 in the Australian W-League playing in the capital for Canberra United, on loan from the North Carolina Courage. She played every minute in the 12-game season for Canberra. During round 6, Kurtz broke her nose in the run of play having to come off shortly to get fully bandaged in order to stop the bleeding, and then competing in the final minutes of the game. She was later named to the round 6 Team of the Week. She tallied one assist during her time in Australia and led the league in clearances with a total of 69 clearances during the regular season. Kurtz capped off her time in Canberra by receiving the prestigious award, 2019/2020 Canberra United Player of the Year.

Honors

South Carolina Gamecocks

• 2016 SEC Defender of the Year
• 2016 First Team NSCAA All-American
• 2016 First Team NSCAA Scholar All-American

North Carolina Courage

• NWSL Champions: 2018, 2019
• NWSL Shield: 2018, 2019
• Women's International Champions Cup Winner: 2018

Canberra United

• 2019/2020 Canberra United Player of the Year

Career statistics

As of April 20, 2019

League	Club	Season	League			Playoffs		Total
			Apps	Assists	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
NCAA	University of Richmond Spiders	2013	18	1	0	0	0	18	0
	South Carolina Gamecocks	2014	19	0	0	6	0	25	0
		2015	19	1	1	1	0	20	1
		2016	19	5	1	6	0	25	1
		total	75	7	2	13	0	88	2
NWSL	North Carolina Courage	2018	6	0	0	0	0	0	0
		2019	0	0	0	0		0	0
		total	6	0	0	0	0	6	0
Elitettan	Östersunds DFF	2017	12	0	0	0	0	12	0
		total	12	0	0	0	0	12	0
Career total			93	7	2	13	0	106	2

References

Social media

• Kurtz Twitter

External links

• Kaleigh Kurtz at Soccerway
• Prolife Courage

---