
Kirsten Davis, with father Brandon. 31 March 2015
A new effort, my goal is to feature 6-10 underclassmen this season. The chosen young ladies will have featured on a larger stage (YNT, Regional ODP or National ID programs) and have stories worth sharing as you see them on the High School pitch. Kirsten Davis Westminster Wildcats
The first player is Kirsten Davis, who is a forward for the Westminster Wildcats and Lou Fusz Wipke 1998-1999. She set a school record for goals scored as a freshman last Spring and is the leading goalscorer in the Metro area at the moment. Partnered up top with Charisse Williams, also a basketball teammate at Westminster, is going to create even more opportunities for Davis this season.
We sat down last week to discuss her experiences and goals. You can hear the conversation via the audio link below.
I have a short list I’m working off of but I’d like to hear about other young ladies who you consider worthy of recognition. Use the Contact Form to fill me in!
LISTEN – Interview with Kirsten Davis, sophomore
PHOTO GALLERY
- Kirsten Davis, U15 YNT Australia
- Kirsten Davis, Lou Fusz Wipke watches her goal cross the endline
- Kirsten Davis, Westminster
- Kirsten Davis, en route to winning PK
- Kirsten Davis, Lou Fusz Wipke
I’d been hearing talk about a new freshman recruited to Wipke’s 98-99 team and I had a chance to see her in the Group stages of the Missouri State Cup in 2013. She got the game-winner in the first match in a photo her father indicates is one of his favorites
In 2013, Davis scored the first goal and the third goal in the OT win for the U15 State title against JB Marine Schneider.
The game-winner came only 90 seconds into overtime and was scored by Davis. A trademark fast start by Wipke and Davis stole the ball in the offensive third, breaking into the box before slotting past the GK. The finals call for two 15 minute overtime periods but Wipke continued to press and deny Schneider the opportunity they needed to defend their title.
In 2014, in a game that went to PK’s against Ladue, Ladue Head Coach Dave Aronberg noted post-game, “Davis is better as a freshman than even Maddie Pokorny at Webster Groves was” and she was the difference for the Rams on this day. Battling against a man-marker she found a small bit of space as she ran from left to right across the top of the box. Her shot from 25 yards somehow fell under the crossbar. It came against the run of play and points to her value to the team.
A conversation with Kirsten’s Dad Brandon offered some insight into the development process in Australia compared to the USA:
Brandon Davis: the training she was able to get in Australia was outstanding (largely European coaching staffs). The technical focus was a strong component. In our first year in Sydney, they started to really ramp up the investment in youth soccer and built a vertical soccer program for the best of the best that all tied back to the coaching on the National Team (Australia Matilda’s). As you know, before Tom Sermanni became the coach of the USA Women’s National Team he was the head coach for Australia. He attended the National Tournaments that Kirsten was playing in before he left.
Multiple sports: Kirsten plays Varsity basketball for Westminster
Name: Kirsten Davis
Born: Dallas, TX
Age Group: 1998-1999
College Commitment: Texas Tech Red Raiders, D1 Big XII
She’ll join Carly Wickenheiser, St.Joe Angels/Lou Fusz Becher 96-97 (U18 Champions), in Lubbock in the Fall of 2017
High School: Westminster Christian Academy
Club: Lou Fusz Wipke
USYNT:
2013, Selected to All – Australia National Team (by U17 Australian NT Coaches)
2013, Invited to train with U19 Australia NT
2013, Australia National Champions, U15 with New South Wales State Team
2012, Australia National Champions, U14 with New South Wales State Team
2011, Australia National Champions, U13 with New South Wales State Team
ODP:
2014, Region II Inter-Regional (November 2014)
2014, Region II Holdover
2014, Missouri ODP 1998
Club:
2014, Missouri State Champions, U16
2013, Region II Semi-Finalist
2013, Missouri State Champions, U15 (pictures)
2010-13, Australia
2009, SLSG Elite U12 (McDoniel)
High School:
2013, 2nd Team All-State, Class 2 (one of three freshman)
2013, 1st Team St. Louis Region, Class 2 (one of three freshman)
2013, 1st Team – Metro League All Conference
35 goals in 19 games (#3 in Area; #1 freshman)
School record for goals
Kirsten Davis Westminster Wildcats