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The University of Utah Athletics
Katie O’Kane Signed to Racing Louisville
2/21/2025 11:20 AM | Soccer
O’Kane marks second Ute to make pros in back-to-back years
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former University of Utah women's soccer midfielder Katie O'Kane signed a deal to play for the Racing Louisville in the National Women's Soccer League, Racing released Friday morning.
In O'Kane's three years at Utah, she put together a collegiate career that included a starting spot in all 54 matches, 16 goals and six assists, accumulating 38 points. At the end of her 2024 season, the Seattle native was the second-highest on the roster in goals (6), assists (5), points (17) and shots (36). O'Kane's work in the classroom earned her recognition in the form of two selections for the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor roll and 2024 Fall Academic All-Big 12 team and back-to-back spots on the CSC Academic All-District roster.
"I am incredibly proud and excited for Katie to sign a contract with Racing Louisville," said head coach Hideki Nakada. "She grew so much during her time at the U and I had no doubt that she was a future pro. With that being said, it is harder than ever to be in the NWSL and she really had to earn it. We are proud to produce and have players sign with NWSL team in back-to-back years."
O'Kane is the first Ute to enter the professional soccer league after the NWSL eliminated its draft, and the second of Nakada's Utes to make it up to the pros, after teammate Courtney Brown was selected to play for the Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
"I'm really looking forward to following our Utes in the league this season," said Nakada.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
She's earned it ??
— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) February 21, 2025
After joining #RacingLou as a preseason invitee, we've signed midfielder @KatieOKane5 from the University of Utah!
?? https://t.co/zaq4hxcNMT pic.twitter.com/XHWCTy3GEe
In O'Kane's three years at Utah, she put together a collegiate career that included a starting spot in all 54 matches, 16 goals and six assists, accumulating 38 points. At the end of her 2024 season, the Seattle native was the second-highest on the roster in goals (6), assists (5), points (17) and shots (36). O'Kane's work in the classroom earned her recognition in the form of two selections for the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor roll and 2024 Fall Academic All-Big 12 team and back-to-back spots on the CSC Academic All-District roster.
"I am incredibly proud and excited for Katie to sign a contract with Racing Louisville," said head coach Hideki Nakada. "She grew so much during her time at the U and I had no doubt that she was a future pro. With that being said, it is harder than ever to be in the NWSL and she really had to earn it. We are proud to produce and have players sign with NWSL team in back-to-back years."
O'Kane is the first Ute to enter the professional soccer league after the NWSL eliminated its draft, and the second of Nakada's Utes to make it up to the pros, after teammate Courtney Brown was selected to play for the Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
"I'm really looking forward to following our Utes in the league this season," said Nakada.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
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