BALTIMORE, Md. – Illinois State soccer midfielder Kate Del Fava heard her name called on draft day for the National Women's Soccer League, being selected by the Utah Royals in the second round with the 12th overall pick.
Del Fava is the highest drafted Missouri Valley Conference women's soccer player ever and the second Redbird to be drafted in the NWSL. Former Redbird Rachel Tejada was drafted in the fourth round with the 32nd pick by the Chicago Red Stars in 2015.
"I'm just really excited to get out to Utah and meet the team, the fans, and to get down to work for the 2020 season," said Del Fava. "I'm so grateful and thankful to everyone who has helped me on my journey and believed in me."
The midfielder capped off her collegiate career with a stellar senior season, leading the Valley in goals (17), points (39) and game-winning goals (6), while also sweeping the MVC Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards at the end of the season. Additionally, Del Fava earned the MVC Elite 17 Award and set the record for most MVC Offensive Player of the Week honors in a single season (5).
Del Fava played in every game since arriving on campus in her four years for the Redbird soccer program and started in all but two. She ranks in the top-10 in ISU program history in goals (6th), points (7th), game-winning goals (4th) and holds the record for most minutes played by a field player with 7,099 minutes logged.
A standout on the field and in the classroom, Del Fava has collected numerous academic accolades including being named a Senior CLASS Award All-American, United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and the 2019 Academic All-America Team Member of the Year. She is also an Illinois State Robert G. Bone Scholar, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an undergraduate student at ISU. Only 14 of Illinois State's more than 20,000 students were tabbed for this honor.
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