Friday, May 3, 2024

Kansas City is the World Capitol for Soccer and is stacked with phenomenal soccer talent. Here at High School Soccer KC, we are committed to highlighting top female high school soccer talent on both sides of the state line.

In this series, we are featuring Top Committed #KCSoccerTalent and sharing their soccer journeys as well as looking forward to their next chapters playing collegiate soccer. Our desire in this series is to applaud these hard working players, share prime examples of how talented players are in Kansas City, as well as give advice and encouragement for younger players wanting to play soccer at the next level.

Keira Love, #15, plays attacking center mid
for Lee's Summit High School

Q&A with #KCSoccerTalent Committed Player:
Keira Love

Grad Year: 2024
Position: 10 - Attacking Center Midfielder
Secondary Position: Forward
High School: Lee's Summit (Kansas City, MO)
Club Team: Kansas Rush GA 06/05
College Commitment: Drury University
Division: NCAA Division 2
Conference: Great Lakes Valley Conference
City, State: Springfield, Missouri
X - @keiralove2024

Keira Love, a Top 20 #KCSoccerTalent player from the class of 2024, is a player that should be on your must watch list. In the ever expanding pool of talented soccer players, Love has risen to the forefront with her fantastic skill and unwavering dedication to the game. As an attacking center midfielder, Love epitomizes versatility on the field, seamlessly transitioning between defensive support and sparking electrifying attacks. Her creativity knows no bounds, weaving through opposing defenses with finesse and vision that leave spectators in awe. But perhaps what sets Love apart is her persistence, a relentless drive to push boundaries and elevate her game with each match. Beyond the pitch, Love is committed not only to soccer but also to her academic pursuits, exemplified by her decision to continue her education at Drury University. With her talent, determination, and passion for the game, Keira Love will make a great asset for Drury and represent the best of Kansas City Soccer.

Keira Love, #15, has played for Lee's Summit 
for the past four high school seasons

Q&A with Keira Love

HSSoccerKC (HS):  What's your favorite thing about playing with your high school teammates?

Keira Love (KL): My favorite part is that I’ve grown up with lots of these girls, and have also played club with some of them for a while. We’ve become a family and I love playing with them, having fun, and making countless memories.

HS:  Why did you choose to play soccer for your high school?

KL: I chose to play because I wanted it to be a part of my high school experience. I had heard good things about the school’s program and was excited to represent my school and play with new teammates.

HS: What do you plan to study in college?

KL: I’m planning to receive a Master’s in Architecture

HS: Why did you choose to play collegiate soccer & continue your academics at the university you are committed to?

KL: I have always dreamed of playing at the collegiate level since I was little. I wanted to play at the top schools in the country and knew there would be a school out there that would be interested in me. Finding a school based on my education was my priority and I was very blessed to find Drury. I loved the coaches and the team and I knew that they would push me to become a better player. I’m very excited to continue my journey in a new area and grow as a person and a player.

HS: What are you most looking forward to about playing college soccer?

KL: I look forward to the new experience and playing at a higher level with new teammates and coaches. I’m excited to see my game develop in new ways and make other players around me better. I know the coaches will push me to the best of my ability and I can’t wait to test my limits.

HS: What advice would you give to a younger player in KC wanting to play college soccer?

KL: I would say never doubt yourself or your ability as a person or a player. Don’t compare yourself to other people because we all have different paths in life. God has a plan for everyone and it may not go the way you want it, but in the end, he will put you in the right place at the right time. Push yourself, and your limits, never give up, and dream big! And don’t forget that when choosing a school, education should be a priority.

HS: What makes KC such a great place for some of the best soccer talent in the United States?

KL: The development of soccer organizations and the competition in the area has grown tremendously. The coaches and trainers who have put in their own time and commitment have really improved the level of talent over the years. KC is finally getting the recognition it deserves, helping younger players develop into great athletes.

Keira Love, Class of 2024, signing her
National Letter of Intent to play
collegiate soccer at Drury University.

What Others are Saying

When asked to describe Keira Love, her club and high school teammates say she is a leader, humble, and passionate.

Love's past and present soccer coaches and trainers join in the positive attributes of the impressive midfielder:

"Keira is a competitor," says Lee's Summit High School Varsity Soccer Head Coach Dave Wiebenga. " When asked what about Love will make her a success for her college soccer team Coach Wiebenga shared, "Keira has a really high work ethic in training and on the match field.  She is open to new ideas and instruction." This being her fourth year at Lee's Summit High School, Coach Wiebenga has seen Love grow from her freshman year to now. "She has matured greatly in the last 4 years.  Her decision making and game insight has made her a much more complete player.  She is able to find the final pass to a teammate or exploit the correct space behind the defense."

Keira Love, Class of 2024, will join Drury University's
Women's soccer team Fall 2024.

"Keira is dominate as an attacking player," shares Love's former Kansas Rush GA club coach and now Graceland University Head Soccer Coach Randall Porter. When asked to expand on what qualities Love brings to her team, position she plays and the culture of her team, Coach Randall said, "Kiera brings quickness, speed and technical ability to her position. She is a great teammate that is very positive and a great work ethic both in practice and in games. With our GA team we were the first team in our club to qualify for the prestigious Girls Academy League playoffs in New Jersey and Kiera led our team in goals and assists during that season." We asked Coach Randall to share what about Love makes her an impact player. He said, "Kiera brings many qualities that impact the team both on and off the field. Off the field she is well respected and liked by all her teammates, has a great work ethic and is very committed. On the field she is a very dangerous attacking minded player. She is extremely quick and fast with and without the ball, is great in 1v1 attacking opportunities and has developed into a good goal scorer as well. Her pace and movement off the ball and understanding of what runs to make puts her in dangerous areas to maximize her strengths."

Keira Love when she announced her verbal
commitment to play collegiate soccer at
Drury University.

"Keira is a privilege to coach," states Kansas Rush Girls Academy club coach Daouda Kante. Coach Daouda has been Keira's coach for the past two years and was asked what about Love will help her succeed on the collegiate level and he shared, "She is not only a great soccer player, but she is also a great human being. She is truly committed to the sport and to her teammates. She has a real love of the game and you can see that when she plays. Keira has an amazing work ethic and the tenacity required to play at the highest level.  All of these attributes will make her a success in her collegiate career."

"Keira is an extremely dynamic player," says Lee's Summit High School Assistant Coach Paul Hawkins. When asked to expand upon Love as a player and teammate Coach Hawkins shared his thoughts on what makes Love so special. "Keira is an amazing teammate. She is almost always positive. She is one of the most talented players but also the hardest working."  Coach Hawkins has seen the growth of love having coached her the last four years. "Her change of pace is elite. She also has an amazing motor. She plays the entire match most of the time. "