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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer’s Kizer Selected by Houston Dash in NWSL College Draft
1/10/2019 | Soccer
Ole Miss’ All-Time Leading Scorer Becomes Fourth Rebel to be Drafted Professionally
CHICAGO, Ill. – On Thursday, Ole Miss' CeCe Kizer became just the fourth player in program-history to be drafted in professional soccer, being taken with the No. 13 overall pick by the Houston Dash in the 2019 NWSL College Draft.
Kizer joins the likes of Rebel greats Jennifer Soileau, Danielle Johnson and Rafaelle Souza, who also heard their names called on draft day. Soileau was chosen in the third round by the Philadelphia Charge in 2001, while Johnson was selected in the fourth round by New Jersey Sky Blue FC in 2010. Meanwhile, Souza was also drafted by the Dash with the 10th-overall pick in 2013.
"We are so happy for CeCe," said Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott. "She has been a great player for us the past 4 years. She is ready to become a professional soccer player and I think big things are ahead for her in Houston. The Dash just gained a great fan base in Rebel Nation."
The Overland Park, Kansas native was one of just two SEC players selected in the draft, being joined by Florida Gators goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese who was selected in the fourth round. Kizer was Houston's second pick off the board, coming off just minutes after the Dash picked Ally Prisock of USC at No. 12.
"It's exciting that she was the first SEC player to be drafted," said Mott. "It shows her quality and how she was able to really dominate our league over the last four years. We're going to miss her down in Oxford but we're certainly excited for her new career and her new journey as a pro."
With their No. 13 pick the Dash are getting one of the most prolific players college soccer has seen in recent memory. Kizer scored 48 times in her vaunted career to set the school-record for career scoring. A tremendous distributor as well, Kizer's 23 career assists ranked third all-time at Ole Miss, giving her a record 119 career points. A consistent producer throughout her career, Kizer owns three of the top-nine goal scoring seasons in Rebel history.
Over the course of her four seasons in Oxford the attacker reeled in just about every award imaginable. The winner of the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, Kizer was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American following both her junior and senior seasons, the only Rebel to ever receive the honor. She also became the third player in program-history to be named First Team All-SEC three times, capturing All-Region laurels from the USC as well.
With her collegiate career in the books, Kizer is ready to head Houston and embark on her next chapter with the Dash.
"It was just a relief (to be selected)," she said. "I was super anxious but I'm really excited. I was hoping to join a great team and Houston is a club that I've heard really good things about. I know a few players there, so I'm really excited to get the "H-Town and do my thing."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott.
Kizer joins the likes of Rebel greats Jennifer Soileau, Danielle Johnson and Rafaelle Souza, who also heard their names called on draft day. Soileau was chosen in the third round by the Philadelphia Charge in 2001, while Johnson was selected in the fourth round by New Jersey Sky Blue FC in 2010. Meanwhile, Souza was also drafted by the Dash with the 10th-overall pick in 2013.
"We are so happy for CeCe," said Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott. "She has been a great player for us the past 4 years. She is ready to become a professional soccer player and I think big things are ahead for her in Houston. The Dash just gained a great fan base in Rebel Nation."
The Overland Park, Kansas native was one of just two SEC players selected in the draft, being joined by Florida Gators goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese who was selected in the fourth round. Kizer was Houston's second pick off the board, coming off just minutes after the Dash picked Ally Prisock of USC at No. 12.
"It's exciting that she was the first SEC player to be drafted," said Mott. "It shows her quality and how she was able to really dominate our league over the last four years. We're going to miss her down in Oxford but we're certainly excited for her new career and her new journey as a pro."
With their No. 13 pick the Dash are getting one of the most prolific players college soccer has seen in recent memory. Kizer scored 48 times in her vaunted career to set the school-record for career scoring. A tremendous distributor as well, Kizer's 23 career assists ranked third all-time at Ole Miss, giving her a record 119 career points. A consistent producer throughout her career, Kizer owns three of the top-nine goal scoring seasons in Rebel history.
Over the course of her four seasons in Oxford the attacker reeled in just about every award imaginable. The winner of the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, Kizer was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American following both her junior and senior seasons, the only Rebel to ever receive the honor. She also became the third player in program-history to be named First Team All-SEC three times, capturing All-Region laurels from the USC as well.
With her collegiate career in the books, Kizer is ready to head Houston and embark on her next chapter with the Dash.
"It was just a relief (to be selected)," she said. "I was super anxious but I'm really excited. I was hoping to join a great team and Houston is a club that I've heard really good things about. I know a few players there, so I'm really excited to get the "H-Town and do my thing."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott.
Players Mentioned
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