The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Daugherty Signs Professional Contract
6/27/2019 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Signs with Fortuna Hjørring of the Elitedivisionen league in Denmark
Former UAB women's soccer standout goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty will play professionally after signing a contract with Fortuna Hjørring of the Elitedivisionen league in Denmark. The club plays in the town of Hjørring, which is approximately 10 miles off Denmark's north coast.
Daugherty started playing soccer when she was four years old in her hometown of Kennesaw, Ga. Always striving to be best at her craft, Daugherty began getting serious about her training the age of 12. After a stellar career at Harrison High School, which included a state championship in 2014, she entertained several Division I offers and ultimately selected UAB.
As a Blazer, Daugherty racked up dozens of honors and awards, capping her career by being named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally her senior year, she was named First Team All-Conference, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team and Conference USA All-Academic First Team. She was named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week two times.
In her junior season, Daugherty was an All-Conference USA First Team and All-Academic First Team selection while being named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week four times. She also was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Team and a member of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-South Region Team and United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-America Third Team.
The road to turning professional began in January when Daugherty was eligible for the 2019 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft. She was just one of 30 keepers on the 220-player list.
Although Daugherty went undrafted, she received tryouts with a pair of teams – North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit. It was with the Spirit, Daugherty met former Wake Forest All-American Aubrey Bledsoe, who spent one season with Fortuna Hjørring before signing with the Orlando Pride. With networking help from Bledsoe, Daugherty was able make contact with Fortuna Hjørring, who immediately showed interest, signing her to contract at the end of May.
"My coaches at UAB went out of their way to help me," said Daugherty. "They helped me make the appropriate connections which is crucial when you are looking to begin your professional career."
For more information on the UAB Women's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSoc) or on Instagram (UAB_WSoc).
Sign up now for the UAB Gold Card. This exclusive offer grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year.
Daugherty started playing soccer when she was four years old in her hometown of Kennesaw, Ga. Always striving to be best at her craft, Daugherty began getting serious about her training the age of 12. After a stellar career at Harrison High School, which included a state championship in 2014, she entertained several Division I offers and ultimately selected UAB.
As a Blazer, Daugherty racked up dozens of honors and awards, capping her career by being named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally her senior year, she was named First Team All-Conference, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team and Conference USA All-Academic First Team. She was named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week two times.
In her junior season, Daugherty was an All-Conference USA First Team and All-Academic First Team selection while being named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week four times. She also was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Team and a member of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-South Region Team and United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-America Third Team.
The road to turning professional began in January when Daugherty was eligible for the 2019 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft. She was just one of 30 keepers on the 220-player list.
Although Daugherty went undrafted, she received tryouts with a pair of teams – North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit. It was with the Spirit, Daugherty met former Wake Forest All-American Aubrey Bledsoe, who spent one season with Fortuna Hjørring before signing with the Orlando Pride. With networking help from Bledsoe, Daugherty was able make contact with Fortuna Hjørring, who immediately showed interest, signing her to contract at the end of May.
"When our staff started at UAB in 2017, we knew from the start that Kelsey had that special "it", said head coach Erica Demers. "She truly defines competitiveness and is consistent with her efforts daily. Every game that we coached Kelsey, we could count on her to make two or three big saves that prevented goals.
"We wish her nothing but the best in the start of her professional career and know that she will absolutely thrive. We hope at some point we can watch her again on US soil when she accomplishes her goal of playing in the NWSL," added Demers.
"My coaches at UAB went out of their way to help me," said Daugherty. "They helped me make the appropriate connections which is crucial when you are looking to begin your professional career."
For more information on the UAB Women's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSoc) or on Instagram (UAB_WSoc).
Sign up now for the UAB Gold Card. This exclusive offer grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
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