Kristina Larsen (soccer)

Kristina Erin Larsen (born June 16, 1988) is an American professional soccer forward. She previously played for the Atlanta Beat and Saint Louis Athletica of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Kristina Larsen
Personal information
Full name Kristina Erin Larsen
Date of birth (1988-06-16) June 16, 1988
Place of birth Burbank, California, United States
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Playing position(s) Forward
Youth career
Southern California Blues
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 UCLA Bruins
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 Saint Louis Athletica
2011 Atlanta Beat 6 (0)
2013 Seattle Reign 9 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Larsen was born in Burbank, California and grew up in Mission Viejo. She attended Mission Viejo High School where she was a four-year letterwinner on the soccer team. She was ranked a Top 50 recruit according to Soccer Buzz Magazine, was a three-time NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American, and a two-time All-CIF First-Team selection.[1]

Larsen played club soccer for the Southern California Blues.

UCLA

Larsen attended UCLA and was a leading goal-scorer for the Bruins from 2006–2009. As a freshman in 2006, she appeared in 22 matches, starting 19. She ended the season tied for fifth on the team in scoring with six goals. She scored two game-winning goals in a pair of 1–0 victories over San Diego State and Long Beach State. Larsen was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. During her sophomore year, she played in 23 of 24 matches, making four starts. She finished the season with 11 points including five goals and one assist. A workhorse under pressure, Larsen scored three of her five goals during the NCAA Tournament, helping the Bruins to wins over Cal State Fullerton, Oklahoma State, and Virginia. She scored the equalizer goal against Virginia in a match the Bruins eventually won 2–1 in overtime. In 2008, she appeared in all 25 matches, making 10 starts and led the team in goals with 13. She also ranked second on the team in scoring with 30 points, including five game-winning goals and four assists. During her senior year, Larsen appeared in 22 games, making 20 starts. She scored nine goals and served six assists for 24 points. She ranked third in scoring for UCLA, and scored three game-winning goals.[1]

Playing career

Club

The WPS Years, 2010–2011

Larsen was selected during the second round of the 2009 WPS Draft by the St. Louis Athletica for the 2010 WPS season.[2][3] After the Athletica folded mid-season 2010, Larsen signed with the Atlanta Beat. She made six appearances for the club with three starts playing a total of 330 minutes.[4][5]

Seattle Reign FC, 2013

In 2013, Larsen joined Seattle Reign FC for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League.[6][7] She made nine appearances for the club, including four starts, tallying 344 minutes as a forward on the squad. She served the assist on a goal scored by Lindsay Taylor during a home match against the Washington Spirit on May 16, 2013.[8]

International

Larsen represented the United States as a member of the United States under-17 women's national soccer team. She was also a member of the U-20 and U-23 national team pools.

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References
  1. "Kristina Larsen". UCLA. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  2. "MVHS alum selected in WPS Draft". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  3. "2010 WPS Preseason Power Rankings". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  4. "WPS: More on Athletica's demise". ESPN. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  5. "Kristina Larsen". SoccerWay. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  6. "Reign FC announces roster for 2013 season". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  7. "Reign FC general manager resigns as club finalizes season preparations". Goal WA. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  8. "REIGN REPORT: SEATTLE REIGN FC VERSUS WASHINGTON SPIRIT". Cheeky Backheel. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
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