Two Huskies were picked in the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft Tuesday morning. Senior forward Kimberly Keever was selected with the second pick in the second round by the Houston Dash. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sarah Shimer will also be going to Houston, after being picked with the third selection in the fourth round.
“We are extremely proud of Sarah and Kimby and excited for the opportunity they’ve earned with the Houston Dash,” head coach Lesle Gallimore said. “I firmly believe they will both work hard to earn their ways as professional players in the NWSL.”
With six goals in 2017, Keever was the Washington women’s soccer team’s leading scorer. She was named to the All-Pac-12 second team for the third straight season, and totaled 22 goals in her career.
For the past few seasons, Keever developed a reputation as a tough player who was a threat at all times to opposing defenses due to her speed and ability to burst past the defense.
Shimer started all 20 games for the Huskies last season and played every single minute. Her 11 shutouts was tied for the best mark in the Pac-12, and she totaled 74 saves.
Her dominance and synergy with the Huskies’ backline was highlighted by a stretch of over 515 scoreless minutes midway through 2017. That mark is the team’s longest shutout streak since 1991.
Gallimore stated that she had discussions with some professional teams about seniors Dominique Bond-Flasza and Shannon Simon and bringing them in for preseason tryouts. The two started 80 and 79 games respectively, both in the top-five in program history.
Reach reporter Aaron Huang at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter; @aaron_c_huang
