Kristen Hamilton was drafted Friday by the Western New York Flash.
Senior finance major Kristen Hamilton made University of Denver history Friday, becoming the first DU women’s soccer player to be drafted to the National Women’s Soccer League. The Western New York Flash picked Hamilton up in the fourth round as the 36th pick of the draft.
“It’s an absolute honor to have been drafted to the New York Flash,” Hamilton says. “This is an opportunity that I could have only dreamed of, and I’m excited to see how I can impact the team.”
The Littleton, Colo., native is DU’s all-time points leader (138) and leading goal scorer (51), and she’s the only NCAA Division I athlete in history to be named player of the year in three conferences (Summit League, Western Athletic and Sun Belt). She’s been named offensive player of the year, first team all-league, Great Lakes all-region and NSCAA all-American, as well as conference tournament MVP.
In addition to her success on the field, Hamilton was named an first team scholar all-American by the NSCAA and Capital One, thanks in part to her 3.7 GPA. Hamilton puts her time in in the community as well—she has done a variety of work throughout the Denver community at the Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House and at Denver’s Rescue Mission.
Hamilton first discovered soccer while growing up in Littleton, Colo., as a tomboy—younger and smaller than most of her male playmates. One friend in particular caught her attention.
“His name was Jeremy, three years older than me,” she says. “I watched him play and thought it looked fun, so when I got home I told my mom I wanted to play. She signed me up, and I’ve loved the game ever since.”
Jeff Hooker, women’s soccer head coach, calls Hamilton “a truly special player who has the true ‘it factor’ [and is] one of the best all-around athletes our program has ever seen. She’s one to keep an eye on … she has the capability of doing some great things in her post-college soccer career.”