Kayla Kennelly '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Kayla Kennelly and I am a goalkeeper hoping to play Division 1 college soccer. I was born with a condition called Pulmonary Sequestration, where a mass/tumor was pressing against my lung and heart. I was given a low chance of survival rate and needed a surgery that could save my life soon after birth. Thankfully, the wonderful staff at Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville, Pa was able to perform a successful surgery that allows me to live a normal, healthy life with no limitations. I am a very competitive person and I like to believe this comes from fighting for my life at such a young age. Along with being competitive, I am a very independent and outgoing person as well as a problem solver. I enjoy being faced with challenges and strive to be the best at everything I do whether it is in the classroom or on the field. In college I hope to study law as I would like to possibly be a lawyer one day. Outside of my soccer career I enjoy training young soccer players. I currently have my United Soccer Coaches Level 1 Goalkeeping Diploma and am working on my Level 2 Diploma. Getting this achievement has help me improve my game by expanding my knowledge of the position while helping kids start their goalkeeping journey. I also own a not for profit glove business, United GoalkeepingUSA. Our proceeds go back to Janet Weis as a thank you for what they did for me. Another thing I do is help out at my local church. On Sundays I do the readings and psalms on a zoom call for the elderly who can no longer attend church. I have four siblings, one of which includes a twin sister. My dad is my biggest Mentor and I am so thankful for everything he has done for me. I am very excited to start my college soccer journey!