Selin Kuralay
Selin Kuralay | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1985 Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation | Soccer player |
| Years active | 1999– |
| Known for | Playing for Melbourne Victory and Australia women's national soccer team |
Selin Kuralay (born 25 January 1985 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian soccer athlete with Turkish heritage. She competes professionally in the Australian W-League, representing Melbourne Victory.
Youth football
Kuralay's football journey started at age six with North Coburg, followed by stints at Ringwood City and Box Hill United. In 2001, she distinguished herself as the sole female awarded the Weinstein Medal, recognizing Victoria's top Junior Player of the Year.
WNSL
Her national league debut took place in 1999 when she joined Victoria Vision in the Australian Women's National Soccer League. She was honored with the Rising Star award during the 2000–01 season. In 2004, Kuralay represented Queensland Academy of Sport in the WNSL, contributing two goals.
W-League (USA)
In 2005, she competed in 12 games for Hampton Roads Piranhas within the USL W-League.
Florida State University
Kuralay commenced her collegiate soccer career at Florida State University competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005. During her freshman year, she set records by netting 16 goals and providing nine assists, earning first team NSCAA All-America recognition and advancing to Hermann Trophy semifinalist status. Additionally, she was named among Soccer America Magazine’s top MVPs for that year.
In 2006, she matched FSU’s record for game-winning goals and received selection to Soccer Buzz Magazine’s All-America team.
Savannah College of Art and Design
In 2008, Kuralay played for Savannah College of Art and Design in The Sun Conference, where she scored 10 goals and assisted five times across 15 matches. Her performance secured her a spot on the 2008 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America team.
W-League (Australia)
Joining Melbourne Victory in 2008, Kuralay marked her debut by scoring twice to help clinch a victory over Adelaide United.
Under-19
Kuralay represented Australia at the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship held in Canada, where she scored five goals during a commanding 13–0 World Cup qualifying triumph against Samoa. She also participated in the 2004 U-19 World Championship hosted in Thailand.
Senior national team
Making her senior debut against New Zealand in February 2004, Kuralay accumulated 22 caps and scored twice for the Australia women's national soccer team. She appeared in three matches during the Athens Olympics and competed in several FIFA U-19 Women's World Championships.
Individual
- Joint recipient of the Weinstein Medal – 2001
- Winner of the Women's National Soccer League Rising Star award – 2001
- Member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America team
- Hermann Trophy semifinalist – 2005
- Soccer America Magazine MVP – 2005
- Selected for Soccer Buzz Magazine’s All-America team – 2006
- Named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America team – 2008