Former Ole Miss forward and midfielder CeCe Kizer was selected by the Houston Dash on Jan. 10, making her the No. 13 overall pick of the 2019 College Draft. She is just the third player in program history to be drafted into professional soccer.
Kizer, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, said being drafted was “a relief” and expressed her gratitude to the Houston organization for making her one of their selections.
CeCe Kizer dribbles the ball downfield attempting to shake off a Mississippi State defender on October 21, 2018. Kizer recently drafted by the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League. File photo by Christian Johnson
“I was super anxious, but I’m really excited,” Kizer said. “I was hoping to join a great team, and Houston is a club that I’ve heard really good things about. I know a few players there, so I’m really excited to get to H-Town and do my thing.”
Kizer had an illustrious career with the Rebels, setting school records with 48 career goals and 119 points. She also ended her career at Ole Miss with 23 assists, the third most in school history. Kizer also boasts three of the top nine scoring seasons in Ole Miss history.
In her senior season Kizer led the SEC in points and assists and helped Ole Miss reach the NCAA tournament in consecutive years for the first time in school history.
“We are so happy for CeCe,” head coach Matt Mott said. “She has been a great player for us the past four years. She is ready to become a professional soccer player, and I think big things are ahead for her in Houston. The Dash just gained a great fan base in Rebel Nation.”
Kizer’s success at Ole Miss did not go unnoticed by national audiences either, as she became just the third Ole Miss player to be named First Team All-SEC thrice. She also became the school’s first United Soccer Coaches All-American, winning the award in both her junior and senior seasons. Her college career was capped off with the 2018 Senior CLASS award for women’s soccer, an award given to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in 10 different NCAA sports.
Kizer was one of two players drafted from the SEC, along with Florida goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese, who was selected in the fourth round by Sky Blue FC.
“It’s exciting that she was the first SEC player to be drafted,” Mott said. “It shows her quality and how she was able to really dominate our league over the last four years. We’re going to miss her down in Oxford, but we’re certainly excited for her new career and her new journey as a pro.”
Kizer was the second selection for the Dash, who also acquired Southern California defender Ally Prisock with the 12th pick. The Dash’s 2019 schedule has yet to be released by the team.
