Kelly Butler

Kansas State

Sep 18 (Thu)

7 p.m.

Position:
Midfielder
Height:
5-7
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Naperville, Ill.
High School:
Neuqua Valley

2008 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team
2008 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Sept. 16)
2009 Big 12 All-Academic first team

JUNIOR (2010): Slowly making her way back onto the field after an ankle injury in '09, Butler saw action in five games her junior year. She attempted two shots, both on goal in her 137 minutes of playing time.

SOPHOMORE (2009): Butler started the season strong by scoring three of her four season goals in CU's first three games. Butler's first goal came early during CU's home opener, a shutout win against Oklahoma State. She recorded her first two-goal game as a Buffalo against St. Mary's. Butler's four goals and two assists for seven points locked her up as CU's second-leading scorer in 2009. Due to an ankle injury suffered mid-season, Butler was limited to just 15 of CU's 19 games in '09.

FRESHMAN (2008): Butler was one of three freshmen to start all 23 games for the Buffaloes and she finished the season as CU's fourth-leading scorer with four goals, five assists, and 13 points. Butler notched her first career goal against Texas Tech when she tied the game and sparked CU's come-from-behind 3-2 victory. Her most meaningful goal came in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament against Oklahoma State when she netted the game-tying goal that allowed Colorado to move on to the championship match after topping the Cowgirls in penalty kicks. Butler's five assists ties her for ninth on the individual season record list and third on the all-time freshmen list. Butler's performance as a freshman landed her a spot on the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team at the conclusion of the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Butler was a two-year letterwinner for the Neuqua Valley high school girl's soccer team. Prior to her senior campaign, the Chicago Sun Times named Butler as one of the top-three best Illinois soccer players for the graduating class of 2008. As a junior, she was named first-team Upstate Eight All-Conference, first-team All-Area, and first-team All-State by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times. As a freshman, she was a member of the All-District Tournament Team, All-Region Tournament Team, first-team All-City and second-team All-State. Butler took off her sophomore and juniors seasons of high school soccer to focus on her club team, the Chicago Magic. As a captain, Butler led the Magic to seven state championships and regional qualifiers (2003-08). She was named Most Valuable Player of SYL Nationals in 2005 and earned a spot on the SYL North American Finals team the same year. Aside from being a member of the 88/89 Regional ODP team, Butler was on the Illinois State team in 2003, the Kentucky State team in 2005 and returned to the Illinois State team from 2005-08. She was also a four-year member of the Region II team and pool (2004-08).

IN THE CLASSROOM: Butler is majoring in psychology at Colorado.

PERSONAL: Kelly Butler was born on November 22, 1989 and is the daughter of Brian and Laura Butler of Naperville, Ill. She is the youngest of five with an older sister, Courtney, two younger sisters Jenny and Jamie, and a younger brother, John. Her sister Courtney was a gymnast at the University of Denver from 2005-07. Butler enjoys playing soccer, listening to music and shopping. She chose Colorado because she loved everything about it, and it was her favorite of all the schools that she visited.