Texas Tech University Athletics
Denesik Selected for U.S. U-23 National Team
August 24, 2019 | Women's Soccer
Former Red Raider defender picked for national team duties for Nordic Tournament.
CHICAGO – Former Texas Tech soccer defender Brooke Denesik was selected this week for U.S. U-23 National Team duties. The Anthem, Ariz., native will don her nation's colors for the Aug. 28-Sept. 2 Nordic Tournament in England.
"You work your whole life for chances like this," Denesik said. "it's so rewarding to see everything start to pay off. I can't wait to get on the field and play with and learn from some of the best players in the country."
Denesik saw the field 81 times in her Red Raider career, which saw her serving as a team captain for each of her final two years in the program. Upon graduation, she was one of three members of Tech's back line to sign a professional contract, agreeing to terms with BIIK Kazygurt in Kahzakstahn.
Denesik's powerhouse Kazygurt team, the 11-time and reigning champion of the country's Women's Football Championship, sits atop the table with 28 points through 10 matches. They own a goal differential of +86. The club recently breezed through the qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League, outscoring opponents 15-1 in the process. Denesik got in on the action, starting in two of the three group stage matches. She picked up her first Champions League point in her competition debut, assisting Alina Litvinenko with a beautiful cross into the box to help lift Kazygurt over Flora, an Estonian club.
Denesik feels as if beginning her career overseas has helped grow her game extensively.
"Playing pro in Europe has been an amazing experience," she said. "Not only have I gotten to meet some amazing people and travel the world, but I feel like I have already grown so much as a player."
The growth Denesik has seen in her game at the collegiate and professional levels has turned her into a defensive cornerstone capable of creating an offense from the back line.
"The modern game requires creativity and playmaking in addition to great defending," said Tech head coach Tom Stone, who scouts for the U.S. Senior National Team. "There are tremendous defenders at the full team level, but as they begin to retire they need to look to the youth levels for defenders who are creative and playmakers, and I think they see both of those attributes in Brooke."
"You work your whole life for chances like this," Denesik said. "it's so rewarding to see everything start to pay off. I can't wait to get on the field and play with and learn from some of the best players in the country."
Denesik saw the field 81 times in her Red Raider career, which saw her serving as a team captain for each of her final two years in the program. Upon graduation, she was one of three members of Tech's back line to sign a professional contract, agreeing to terms with BIIK Kazygurt in Kahzakstahn.
Denesik's powerhouse Kazygurt team, the 11-time and reigning champion of the country's Women's Football Championship, sits atop the table with 28 points through 10 matches. They own a goal differential of +86. The club recently breezed through the qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League, outscoring opponents 15-1 in the process. Denesik got in on the action, starting in two of the three group stage matches. She picked up her first Champions League point in her competition debut, assisting Alina Litvinenko with a beautiful cross into the box to help lift Kazygurt over Flora, an Estonian club.
What a cross! ??@Brooke_Denesik served up a beauty of an assist in her Champions League debut Saturday!
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) August 12, 2019
??#WreckEm?? pic.twitter.com/cuseQZ2NxI
Denesik feels as if beginning her career overseas has helped grow her game extensively.
"Playing pro in Europe has been an amazing experience," she said. "Not only have I gotten to meet some amazing people and travel the world, but I feel like I have already grown so much as a player."
The growth Denesik has seen in her game at the collegiate and professional levels has turned her into a defensive cornerstone capable of creating an offense from the back line.
"The modern game requires creativity and playmaking in addition to great defending," said Tech head coach Tom Stone, who scouts for the U.S. Senior National Team. "There are tremendous defenders at the full team level, but as they begin to retire they need to look to the youth levels for defenders who are creative and playmakers, and I think they see both of those attributes in Brooke."
Players Mentioned
Defender
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