Texas Tech University Athletics
Davis Selected by Racing Louisville FC in NWSL Draft
January 13, 2021 | Women's Soccer
Red Raider forward selected by Racing Louisville FC in NWSL College Draft; team will hold rights until after 2021 collegiate season.
CHICAGO – Texas Tech's All-American forward, Kirsten Davis, was selected Wednesday 13th overall by Racing Louisville FC in the National Women's Soccer League College Draft. Davis heard her name called virtually via Twitch, where the league hosted its ninth iteration of the College Draft. Racing Louisville will hold Davis' rights until after she plays the fall 2021 season at Tech, which she intends to do.
"You dream about this since you're a little girl," said Davis. "Once it actually happens and they call your name, I didn't even know how to react. I'm just so excited and I still can't even believe it's happening right now."
Davis becomes the fifth Red Raider to be drafted into the United States' top women's league and one of the top professional leagues in the world, all of whom have come under the watch of head coach Tom Stone. At 13th overall (second round, pick three), Davis is the third-highest pick in program history. She follows Jaelene Daniels (seventh overall in 2015) and Janine Beckie (eighth overall in 2016). Other Tech draft picks include Hayley Haagsma (15th overall in 2014), the program's first-ever draftee, and Alli Murphy (20th overall in 2016).
"Kirstin has worked tirelessly on her game since the day she stepped onto the campus of Texas Tech," said Stone. "Her approach to growing as a player/person and leader has been very mature and she is a great example of doing things the right way and the benefits therein. We are excited that Coach [Christy] Holly believes she can be a big part of Racing Louisville as they build this new world-class women's professional team. I have no doubt KD will grow her game again this spring and fall and be more than ready for her career as a pro in the NWSL. Could not happen to a more deserving young lady."
Racing Louisville was announced as an expansion team in late 2019. The club, managed by fifth-year NWSL coach Christy Holly, will begin play in 2021. Davis, upon joining the roster in 2022, is excited for the opportunity to be a part of a new franchise's first squad.
"It'll be so cool to be there when their culture is just starting," she said. "I've been following them on social media since they announced that they were having a team and have always thought it would be so cool if I got to play for them. I like Kentucky, I like the Midwest and I'm just excited to be a part of Racing Louisville."
Davis, who will complete her collegiate career in the fall of 2021, served as a captain for the first time in her career in 2020. She tallied two goals in a COVID-shortened 2020 season, but it was the forward's 2019 season that cemented her as one of the best in program history and truly one of the most dangerous attacking players in the country. What started with a program record for most goals through six games (six) turned into an incredible feat, culminating in 11 goals through her first 11 games. Davis would score five more times for a season total of 16. Six of her scores were game-winners, tying a program record. By season's end, Davis would be voted Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, recognized as a First Team All-American and named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In total, Davis has amassed 26 goals and 15 assists during her time in Lubbock. The St. Louis, Mo., native ranks sixth in school history in goals and seventh in assists. Her 73 points place her fourth in program history in the category. A whopping 11 of her 26 career goals have been game-winners, a mark that ties her for second in program history.
"You dream about this since you're a little girl," said Davis. "Once it actually happens and they call your name, I didn't even know how to react. I'm just so excited and I still can't even believe it's happening right now."
?????? ???????? ???? ????... ???@kirstendavis22 has been drafted by @RacingLouFC??
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) January 14, 2021
The club will hold onto her rights until after her coming 2021 senior season. pic.twitter.com/wjatnHVamH
Davis becomes the fifth Red Raider to be drafted into the United States' top women's league and one of the top professional leagues in the world, all of whom have come under the watch of head coach Tom Stone. At 13th overall (second round, pick three), Davis is the third-highest pick in program history. She follows Jaelene Daniels (seventh overall in 2015) and Janine Beckie (eighth overall in 2016). Other Tech draft picks include Hayley Haagsma (15th overall in 2014), the program's first-ever draftee, and Alli Murphy (20th overall in 2016).
"Kirstin has worked tirelessly on her game since the day she stepped onto the campus of Texas Tech," said Stone. "Her approach to growing as a player/person and leader has been very mature and she is a great example of doing things the right way and the benefits therein. We are excited that Coach [Christy] Holly believes she can be a big part of Racing Louisville as they build this new world-class women's professional team. I have no doubt KD will grow her game again this spring and fall and be more than ready for her career as a pro in the NWSL. Could not happen to a more deserving young lady."
Racing Louisville was announced as an expansion team in late 2019. The club, managed by fifth-year NWSL coach Christy Holly, will begin play in 2021. Davis, upon joining the roster in 2022, is excited for the opportunity to be a part of a new franchise's first squad.
"It'll be so cool to be there when their culture is just starting," she said. "I've been following them on social media since they announced that they were having a team and have always thought it would be so cool if I got to play for them. I like Kentucky, I like the Midwest and I'm just excited to be a part of Racing Louisville."
Davis, who will complete her collegiate career in the fall of 2021, served as a captain for the first time in her career in 2020. She tallied two goals in a COVID-shortened 2020 season, but it was the forward's 2019 season that cemented her as one of the best in program history and truly one of the most dangerous attacking players in the country. What started with a program record for most goals through six games (six) turned into an incredible feat, culminating in 11 goals through her first 11 games. Davis would score five more times for a season total of 16. Six of her scores were game-winners, tying a program record. By season's end, Davis would be voted Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, recognized as a First Team All-American and named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In total, Davis has amassed 26 goals and 15 assists during her time in Lubbock. The St. Louis, Mo., native ranks sixth in school history in goals and seventh in assists. Her 73 points place her fourth in program history in the category. A whopping 11 of her 26 career goals have been game-winners, a mark that ties her for second in program history.
Hey, @RacingLouFC ??
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) January 14, 2021
Wanted to show you a little preview of what you and your fans will be getting with @kirstendavis22 in 2??0??2??2???? pic.twitter.com/5PpdiOKEeQ
Players Mentioned
Forward
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