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Jersey Number 12
Makayla Merlo
- Position:
- Midfielder
- Height:
- 5-3
- Class:
- Graduate Student
- Hometown:
- Broomfield, Colo.
- High School:
- Legacy HS
- Prev School:
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Get to Know Makayla ...
At what age did you start playing soccer and how did you get into soccer?
- At three years old. My mom played so she wanted me to be like her.
- I'm named after my great-grandfather.
- I just want to play simple and keep it.
- Basketball, I mean who doesn't love hoops?
- I'm scuba dive certified.
- My parents, they are the most supportive and hardworking people.
- Abby Wambach was my favorite player growing up. Now I want to play like Kevin De Bruyne or Luke Modric.
NAME & HOMETOWN PRONUNCIATION
REDSHIRT SENIOR – 2024
- Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining
- Committed in March 2024
- Appeared in all 23 matches (22 starts)
- Tied for the team lead in assists with seven
- Tallied nine points; fifth on the team
- Scored one goal on the season against TCU in the Big 12 Tournament Championship; also the game-winning goal
- Attempted 16 shots, including 10 shots on goal
- Logged 1,563 minutes; fourth on the team
- Played a season high 96 minutes against West Virginia (Nov. 2)
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS – 2020-23
- Spent four seasons in the University of Colorado Colorado Springs program
- D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team (2021, 2023)
- United Soccer Coaches Women's Scholar All-American First Team in 2023
- United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region First Team in 2023
- All-RMAC First Team (2021, 2022, 2023)
- United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region Second Team (2021, 2022)
- D2CCA All-South Central Region Second Team in 2022
- Appeared in 75 matches (71 starts) and logged 5,926 minutes in four seasons at University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
- Scored 22 goals and recorded 10 assists in her four seasons at UCCS
- Totaled 1,959 minutes of action in 2023 which was the third most in a season in program history
- CSC Academic All-District Team (2022, 2023)
- RMAC All-Academic First Team in 2023
- RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022
BROOMFIELD SOCCER CLUB
- President Cup Nationals MVP
- President Cup National Champions
HIGH SCHOOL
- Played four years of soccer at Legacy High School in Broomfield, Colorado
- Second Team All-State
- Golden Boot Award
- 21 goals during freshman year
- First Team All-Conference
- Player of the Year Runner Up
- Playoff appearance 2016 – 2019
- Three-time Student Leadership President
- Two-time Academic Letter
- Two-time Academic All-State
- Student Leadership DECA Olympians
- ODP Regional Team Colorado State Champions
PERSONAL
- Daughter of Jim Merlo and Evelyn Schane
- Has one older brother, Josh
- Chose Kansas because, “I wanted to further my career and challenge myself both in aspects on and off the field. I felt like the environment here at KU was something I could thrive in and continue my career in and reach my fullest potential.”
- Received her bachelor's degree in exercise science from University of Colorado Colorado Springs in May 2024
- Currently pursuing her master's degree in sport management
Kansas Postgame Press Conference at Duke NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
Sunday, November 23
Kansas Soccer NCAA Tournament Third Round Media Availability
Friday, November 21
Kansas Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville NCAA Tournament Second Round
Thursday, November 20
Kansas Soccer vs. Louisville Highlights
Thursday, November 20
