gOALS ON AND OFF THE FIELD:
Women's Soccer Standout Maegan Kelly

Scoring goals distinguishes Maegan Kelly, Arts '14, as a leader on the soccer field; pursuing them sets her apart as an exceptional student-athlete.

Goals in both senses of the word have been part of the Kansas City, Mo., native's mindset since kindergarten: she grew up watching her older sister Katie and brother Pat play soccer in the yard and was determined to play with them.

And she aspired to play well. Her father Neil - himself a soccer player in college - coached her raw ambition and innate talent throughout youth soccer and her success as a four-year letter winner and two-time captain for her high school team at St. Teresa's Academy. Ranking second in St. Teresa's record books in goals scored in a single season (39 as a sophomore), Maegan set her sights on succeeding at the college level.

She wanted a college that felt like home - a place that's about family and connections.

Having watched her sister play as a four-year letter winner on the Marquette women's soccer team from 2005 through 2008, Maegan describes how MU and Milwaukee always offered her a genuine sense of belonging every time she visited. Marquette provided an opportunity to bond with "soccer families," which tend to evolve among siblings and parents who connect and stay connected through the sport. With Marquette Head Coach Markus Roeders having had several occasions to witness Maegan's soccer talent, the university provided her with a scholarship opportunity.

Through the Blue & Gold Athletic Scholarship Fund, Maegan has received scholarship support for each year of her Marquette experience - including this, her senior year. She couldn't be happier.

"Everything MU has given to me has been a positive," Maegan explains.

From success with her teammates - including last season's 18-2-3 record - to success in her studies. Indeed, Maegan was named a BIG EAST All-Academic in Spring 2013, having achieved a 3.2 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. She credits the help of MU Athletics' Academic Support Center.

She never forgets that none of her goals on the field or in the classroom would be possible without Blue & Gold Scholarship Fund benefactors, stating "My scholarship support helps me every day, just letting me know that I don't have to add a job on top of the heap of work I have as a student-athlete." (Make a gift to the Blue & Gold Scholarship Fund to support student-athletes.)

A typical day during soccer season begins with early-morning classes followed by a midday, two-hour practice (longer when she requires treatment), and wraps up with studying/class preparation at night. Add travel time for matches, and Maegan calculates that she has one day off per week from her rigorous student-athlete routine.

Maegan doesn't complain; she thrives on "doing," dedicating her spring break last March to a service trip. Through MARDI GRAS (Making a Real Difference in the Gulf Region and Areas Surrounding), she traveled with nearly 100 Marquette students to New Orleans, helping residents and businesses still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Her goal is to help again over winter break, serving as a student leader. But that's just one of her goals.

Beyond Marquette, Maegan seeks to blend pursuit of athletic and academic accomplishments that are as impressive as her Golden Eagle career highlights:

  • 2012 BIG EAST All-tournament Team
  • 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team
  • 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
  • 2012 Preseason All-BIG EAST
  • 2011 All-BIG EAST First Team
  • 2011 NSCAA All-Northeast Region Third Team
  • 2010 BIG EAST All-rookie Team
  • BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 11, 2011;and Oct. 17, 2011)
  • BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 5, 2011; and Sept. 26, 2011)
  • TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week (Sept. 5, 2011; Sept. 11, 2011; Sept. 26, 2011; and Oct. 17, 2011)
  • Soccer America Team of the Week (Sept. 12, 2011; and Oct. 17, 2011)

Maegan's Future

Destined to be high-scoring - and soaring - as a Marquette alumna.

  • To graduate early - within 3.5 years rather than four - earning her bachelor of arts degree in December 2013.
  • To play professional soccer after graduation, entering the college draft for the National Women's Soccer League in January/February 2014.
  • To launch a career after soccer through which she helps others achieve personal goals either by returning to Marquette to assist student-athletes in the Academic Support Center or working with special-needs children.

Back to the October 2013 Alumni Newsletter

 

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