Former Newton standout, K-State Wildcat selected by Kansas City in National Women’s Soccer League Draft

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Brookelynn Entz impacts the game every time she steps on the pitch.

As a result, the impact she’s had on Kansas State soccer is one that’s helped build a culture for the new program. The Newton High School grad holds the record for career goals, assists and points at K-State.

“That’s the reason I came here, and it’s been harder than I thought it would be for sure, but I think all the hard work is so much more rewarding than if I was at any other school,” Entz said. “I get to be a part of building something and setting records and hopefully putting Kansas State on the map.”

Kansas State launched the women’s soccer program in 2016. Entz helped lead the Wildcats, won two games total from 2017 to 2019, to three wins in 2020. She’ll return for a fifth-year next season.

“We are building our style of play and still building our culture and I just wanted to continue to be a part of that,” she said.

But after the midfielder’s final season as a Wildcat, she’ll turn pro. Kansas City’s new National Women’s Soccer League team selected Entz as the 38th overall pick in the 2021 draft.

“It was just unbelievable, and I couldn’t sleep that night because I just couldn’t believe what happened,” Entz said. “I had dreamed of being drafted and playing professionally in the NWSL since I was a little girl, so just to have that moment was really special.”

Playing at a young program without a single NWSL draft pick before her, the two-time all-Big 12 selection’s path to the pros wasn’t easy.

“I think I’ve had to go the hard way and I’ll continue going the hard way,” she said. “That instilled in me this kind of drive and desire to keep working even when you get no recognition , even when you never win and even when no one recognizes you.”

But it also taught her what it takes to build a club from the ground up, valuable experience she’ll take with her to Kansas City.

“I know that they are a new team, they are building something, and I know that I have experience in building something,” she said. “I know that it’s difficult and it takes a lot of hard work so I’m just ready to go in there and compete as hard as I can.”

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