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As the Houston Dash found themselves on the clock in the second round, the club went in a familiar direction drafting University of Washington forward Kimberly Keever.
The Manhattan Beach, Calif. native scored 22 goals in her career at Washington, fifth-most in program history. Keever was named second-team All-Pac-12 (2014-2016) and third-team All-Pac-12 in her senior season. In Houston, Keever will also be reunited with her Washington teammate goalkeeper Sarah Shimer.
The speedy forward is a welcome addition to Houston’s improved roster. As first speculated by Chris Henderson of All White Kit, Keever could see playing time in a defensive role with the Dash, as forwards Christen Press, Kealia Ohai, Rachel Daly, Savannah Jordan, Sarah Hagen, Nichelle Prince, and Lindsey Agnew all sit ahead of her on Houston’s depth chart.
NWSL Draft - Round 2
— Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) January 18, 2018
12 - HOU - Kimberly Keever - F - Washington
(B-) - Value
(B+) - Need
Some rate her (@jonlipsitz), some don't (me). She's probably moving to full-back and could be a super aggressive option. But they just got a similar player in Agnew.
Keever wouldn’t be the first Dash forward to assume a defensive role with the club. Former Dash head coach Randy Waldrum experimented with Daly at outside back a few times in 2017, a trend that briefly continued under interim manager Omar Morales. The Dash also selected Haley Hanson (No. 7), Veronica Latsko (No. 28), and Sarah Shimer (No. 33) on Thursday.
And isn’t this ironic?
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Welcome to Houston Kimberly Keever!