University of Minnesota Athletics
Super Seven Spotlight: Senior Kylie Kallman
7/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
A mainstay on Minnesota's back line since her freshman season, senior Kylie Kallman will serve as one of several senior leaders for the Gophers in 2010 as one of the program's most experience players.
After a standout career at Woodbury High School, where she helped the Royals to three state championships (2003-04, '05) and a runner-up finish in 2005, Kallman immediately worked her way into the Gophers' lineup her freshman year and has been there ever since. She has started in 64 games in the Maroon and Gold - missing only one in her college career. Aside from being one of Minnesota's most experienced returners; she's obviously one of the most durable and has earned the team's Ironwoman Award in 2008 and 2009.
As a freshman, Kallman was thrown right into the fire on a back line that featured three true freshmen. Despite their inexperience, the trio of newcomers developed over the season and helped pitch seven shutouts including a memorable string of three-straight shutouts including a 1-0 blanking of eighth-ranked Penn State at the end of the year. For her part in the 2007 campaign, Kallman earned the team's Newcomer Award and the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Kallman was also a key contributor to Minnesota's Big Ten championship run in 2008 when she was joined on the Gophers squad by her older sister Krystle (now an assistant with the program). That season, the Gophers' led the conference in shutouts (17), goals against average (0.454) and fewest goals allowed (12) while the team also ranked fifth nationally in shutouts and GAA. The defensive success continued in 2009 when Kallman patrolled the back line and helped Minnesota again rank among the top conference teams with 10 shutouts (third in the Big Ten), only 14 goals allowed (second) and a 0.67 GAA (second). Furthermore, Kallman set a career high with six points as a junior (two goals, two assists) - bringing her career totals to four goals and five assists.
Kallman has shown her leadership off the field as well. She led the team in hours of community service in 2009 while also excelling throughout her career in the Carlson School of Management, where her work has been honored with Academic All-Big Ten and All-District 5 (ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA) in both 2008 and 2009. She'll also be the program's representative for the 2010 Lowe's Senior Class Award, which recognizes outstanding Division I seniors for their great achievement during competition and in their community while staying in school.
"Kylie Kallman is the Ironwoman of Gopher Soccer. She has earned the respect of her teammates and coaches by bringing her very best to every practice and every game. She is one of the greatest competitors we have ever had in our program, and has been a courageous and passionate leader. She has taken her game to the next level through her work ethic and commitment, and it is thrilling to see her playing the best soccer of her career right now," Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. "Kylie is a model for our team of how to be a champion on the field, in the classroom and in the community. It has been a true honor to coach Kylie, we are grateful for all that she has given to Gopher soccer."
