American stalwart Kaleigh Kurtz was named Canberra United’s player of the year at the club’s 2019/20 awards night on Thursday.
Kurtz, 25, did not miss a minute of action during her first season Down Under for Heather Garriock’s side and was a defensive leader for Canberra.
Feature image: Canberra United
She signed for the one-time Champions of Australia on loan from National Women’s Soccer League powerhouse North Carolina Courage last November and returns home on Friday.
A native of South Carolina, Kurtz was signed from the University of South Carolina in 2018 and started 15 matches for the Courage over the past two NWSL campaigns.
United States international teammate Simone Charley took out the club’s supporters’ player of the year award.
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Congrats to our @WLeague award winners at our 2019/20 Awards Night! #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/Cz9O5U78zi
— Canberra United (@CanberraUnited) February 27, 2020
Charley, 25, scored five goals and produced an assist in 11 games having signed for United on loan from NWSL outfit Portland Thorns in pre-season.
Hayley Taylor-Young was named the club’s rising star. The 18-year-old is a graduate of the United pathway program and made seven appearances for Garriock’s side, including three starts for the return of one goal.
Finally, Leena Khamis was named player’s player. The veteran 33-year-old forward featured in all 12 games for Canberra, scoring two goals and registering two assists.
Canberra’s 2019/20 campaign finished last Sunday with a 5-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar, in what was coach Heather Garriock’s final game at the helm.
Due to having a Round 14 bye, United are set to finish sixth on the competition ladder, but will slide to seventh if seventh-placed Perth Glory defeat Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Canberra scored 13 goals and conceded 29 from 12 matches.
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