2024 soccer standout Zurek commits

Story by Noelle Blumel/Photo credit Arianna Grainey Photography 

SC del Sol outside winger Kyah Zurek has committed to play D1 soccer at the University of Portland.

The junior is one of the top players on the West Coast in the class of 2024. “It was the perfect fit for me from an athletic, academic, and culture standpoint,” Zurek said.

The University of Portland soccer program is known for its tradition of winning, with two national championships within the last 20 years, and its legendary roster of players, such as Christine Sinclair and Megan Rapinoe. Zurek added that she received offers from Grand Canyon University and Gonzaga University, as well as talking to Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and Utah State.

In addition to her stellar soccer career, Zurek is quite the runner. She recorded the fastest 5k in the history of high school cross country by any runner in Chandler Unified School District. Zurek attends Casteel high school. 

Early in her running career, she was honored by the Western US Olympic Development Program Regional Team. 

She has also received accolades such as IMG Top 150 , Southwest and Mountain Region Talent ID, US Soccer YNT Regional Player Pool.

Zurek has done this all while maintaining a grade point average of 4.53. She plans to study marketing and psychology while playing for the Pilots in Portland.