Women’s Soccer Adds Transfer Kristensen

SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women’s soccer team added sophomore Julia Kristensen for the 2023 season, head coach Kirk Nelson announced today.

The St. Charles, Mo. native comes from Central Missouri where she was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Women’s Soccer All-America second team.

“We are very excited to welcome Julia into our Bears family,” Nelson said. “She is an all-American forward who has experience playing at a very high level. One of her key traits is her ability to create dangerous opportunities around the goal. Plus, she takes pride in being tenacious on the defending side. She will fit very well within our culture here, and I can’t wait to see her in maroon and white.”

Kristensen also garnered Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors while being named the D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year. Additionally, she earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region first team. During the 2022 campaign, Kristensen racked up 39 points on 15 goals and nine assists in 23 games. She ranked second in the MIAA in points and goals and third in NCAA Division II in game-winning goals, with seven.

At Francis Howell North High School, Kristensen was named second-team all-conference as a freshman and sophomore. As a sophomore playing for SLSG ECNL, she helped her club team qualify for the national quarterfinals.