Photo of Kelsey White by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru/russellmarwitz.com
BELTON-For the third straight season, the UMHB women’s soccer program has an All-American, as Kelsey White was honored on the United Soccer Coaches D-III All-America team on Thursday afternoon. It is a tremendous honor for the senior midfielder, who aided UMHB throughout this season’s run to the NCAA Tournament, starting in all 19 of the Crusaders’ matches.
The 2023 American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, White scored game-winning goals against Ohio Northern and Sul Ross State this past fall, and contributed with three assists from an offensive standpoint. Her defensive impact was invaluable to UMHB’s 16-1-2 season, as White helped the Crusaders rank in the Top 10 in D-III for much of the season in goals-against average. UMHB recorded 12 shutouts in 19 matches.
“Kelsey is a fierce competitor and the unsung hero on our team,” UMHB head coach Barry Elkins said in a UMHB press release on Thursday. “She has been a leader for us on and off the field. I am so glad to see her finally being recognized at this level and am honored to add her to the wall of All-Americans.”
Just four other Crusaders have earned All-America honors in the history of the program, with the first being Charis Brantley in 2016. Sarah Rempe followed in 2017, and five years after, Maria Rico was selected to the 2021 USC All-America team. Kristen Burdick earned an All-America distinction in 2022 after guiding UMHB’s back line in a strong campaign that also resulted in an NCAA Tournament appearance.
White also earned First Team All-ASC and First Team All-West Region honors this season. A pre-dental student who holds a 4.00 GPA in the classroom, White was also named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team on Nov. 27.
