Kaleigh Kurtz

Kaleigh Nicole Kurtz (born September 9, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Kurtz signed with Swedish club Östersunds DFF after playing collegiately for the Richmond Spiders and South Carolina Gamecocks. She has previously played on loan for Canberra United of the Australian W-League.

Early life
Kurtz grew up in Greer, South Carolina. She started playing soccer at the age of four in the local YMCA league, switching to the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) when she was 9. She was a top swimmer in her division growing up, competing alongside her sister for Eastside Aquatic Club. Her family's passion towards fitness and running led her to racing 5ks. She competed in multiple races, coming in first place for overall females three times. In soccer she has almost always played the position of defender, specifically center back. She attended high school at Riverside High School, where she was a three-year All-State winner. Going into her junior year of high school, Kurtz broke her femur which ultimately affected her college recruiting prospects.

College career
Kurtz played her first year of college soccer at the University of Richmond in 2013–14, starting 18 games. After that season, she transferred to the University of South Carolina. Kurtz made 69 appearances for the Gamecocks. In her senior year, she was named a First Team NSCAA All-American, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and a MAC Herman Trophy Semifinalist.

Östersunds Dff
Following college, Kurtz played for Östersunds Dff in the Swedish Elitettan, fulfilling her desire to play overseas. She made 12 appearances and captained the side.

2018–2019
Kurtz was a non-roster invitee during the 2018 Carolina preseason. She signed with the Courage in March 2018. She debuted on April 18, 2018, starting at center back against the OL Reign. She made six appearances in the 2018 regular season, as well as two in the 2018 Women's International Champions Cup. Kurtz's option for 2019 was picked up in October 2018.

Canberra United, 2019–2020
Kurtz spent the NWSL off season of 2019–2020 in the Australian W-League playing in the capital for Canberra United, on loan from the North Carolina Courage. She played every minute in the 12-game season for Canberra. During round 6, Kurtz broke her nose in the run of play having to come off shortly to get fully bandaged in order to stop the bleeding, and then competing in the final minutes of the game. She was later named to the round 6 Team of the Week. She tallied one assist during her time in Australia and led the league in clearances with a total of 69 clearances during the regular season. Kurtz capped off her time in Canberra by receiving the 2019/2020 Canberra United Player of the Year award.

2021–present
Kurtz played every minute of the regular season in 2022. She signed a three-year contract with the Courage in November 2022. She continued her "iron woman" streak through the 2023 season, when she was named to the NWSL Best XI second team with a league second-most 22 blocks. On May 24, 2024, she broke the NWSL regular season consecutive minutes played record, passing Amber Brooks's mark of 6,493 minutes.

Honors
South Carolina Gamecocks
 * 2016 SEC Defender of the Year
 * 2016 First Team NSCAA All-American
 * 2016 First Team NSCAA Scholar All-American

North Carolina Courage
 * NWSL Champions: 2018, 2019
 * NWSL Shield: 2018, 2019
 * Women's International Champions Cup Winner: 2018
 * NWSL Challenge Cup: 2022, 2023

Canberra United
 * 2019/2020 Canberra United Player of the Year

Career statistics
As of April 20, 2019

Social media

 * |Kaleigh Kurtz Twitter