Nikki Phillips (soccer)

Nicole Marie Phillips (née Krzysik; born 23 May 1987) is an American-born Polish professional footballer who plays as a defender and a midfielder. She has been a member of the Poland women's national team. She previously played for the Chicago Red Stars and the Philadelphia Independence in the WPS, and the United States U-20 women's national soccer team.

Nikki Phillips
Krzysik in 2011
Personal information
Full name Nicole Marie Phillips
Birth name Nicole Marie Krzysik[1]
Date of birth (1987-05-23) 23 May 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Ridgewood, New Jersey, United States
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Defender, midfielder
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Virginia Cavaliers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–04 New Jersey Lady Stallions 15 (0)
2005 New York Magic 4 (0)
2007 Jersey Sky Blue 10 (0)
2008 Richmond Kickers Destiny 6 (0)
2009 Chicago Red Stars 14 (0)
2010–11 Philadelphia Independence 41 (0)
2012 New York Fury
2013 San Diego WFC SeaLions
2014 FC Kansas City 23 (1)
International career
United States U-17
United States U-19/U-20
United States U-21/U-23 13 (0)
2013–2014 Poland 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 August 2011.
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 September 2013.

Early life

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Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, to parents, Linda and Joseph Krzysik, Nikki attended Clifton High School in her hometown of Clifton, New Jersey. She set the school's records for goals scored in a season with 21 and career goals with 55. In 2004, she was named NSCAA High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was also a two-time Parade Magazine All-American.[2]

University of Virginia

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Krzysik attended the University of Virginia where she anchored the Cavalier defense for four seasons. As a freshman in 2005, Krzysik started all 25 games. During her junior year, she started on a defensive unit that led the nation in goals against average (0.40) and set a school record with 15 shutouts. She was named All-ACC first team twice, in 2007 and 2008. As a senior, she was named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was a semi-finalist for the Hermann Trophy. She played every minute and led the defensive line that posted nine shutouts and allowed 5.1 shots per game. A versatile player, Krzysik scored three goals and provided three assists.[2][3]

Playing career

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Club

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Chicago Red Stars, 2009

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Krzysik was selected by the Chicago Red Stars of the WPS in the second round (13th overall) of the 2009 WPS Draft. She appeared in 14 games, making 10 starts during the 2009 season.

 
Krzysik playing in the 2010 WPS Championship game for Philadelphia Independence

Philadelphia Independence, 2010–11

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Krzysik was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia Independence during the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft.[4][5] She appeared in 23 games for a total of 2030 minutes during the 2010 season.

Krzysik returned to the Independence for the 2011 season and was named captain of the team after two games into the season.[6] She was also nominated for WPS Defender of the Year.[7]

FC Kansas City, 2014

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Krzysik was selected as the first pick (second overall) by the Seattle Reign FC in the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft for the inaugural season of the NWSL; however, she opted not to play.[8][9] In 2013, her player rights were traded to FC Kansas City.

International

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Krzysik represented the United States at the U-16, U-1, U-21, U-23 levels. She played for the United States at the 2004 U-19 and 2006 U-20 World Championships and was instrumental in the United States winning the 2006 CONCACAF U-20 Final Women's Qualifying Tournament. In 2008, she made 11 starts for the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.[10]

Krzysik made her first appearance for Poland in the fall of 2013.[11]

Personal life

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She married John Phillips in 2013.

References

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  1. ^ "Graduates and Degree Candidates – College of Arts & Sciences: Conferred December 30, 2009, Bachelors of Arts" (PDF). One Hundred and Eighty-First Final Exercises. University of Virginia. 23 May 2010. p. 23. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Nikki Krzysik player profile". Chicago Red Stars. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Nikki Krzysik player profile". University of Virginia. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Standout on defense powers Independence". Philly.com. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Previewing the 2010 Philadelphia Independence". All White Kit. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Nikki Krzysik named captain of Philadelphia Independence (WPS)". Libero Sports. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Soccer: Clifton's Krzysik picked by Seattle". NewJersey.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  8. ^ "USWNT Player Blogs Photos Paying it Forward On the Bubble NWSL 2013 Algarve Cup 2012 Olympics NWSL Supplemental Draft Results". Pitchside Report. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Seattle Reign picks six in NWSL Supplemental Draft, rumored to be acquiring Veronica Perez". Sounder at Heart. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  10. ^ "10 Burning Questions: Nicole Krzysik". ESPN. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  11. ^ "Reign make two trades, land Cuellar for Noyola – Equalizer Soccer". July 2013.
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