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Women's Soccer Mary Meiman/Chris Myers

Kraus Completes Solid WJU Goalie Career

WHEELING, W. Va. – As the 2015 Wheeling Jesuit University women's soccer season comes to an end, so does a solid goalkeeper's collegiate career. After stepping onto the Wheeling campus, Holly Kraus has been a rock and last line of defense for the Cardinal women's soccer team.
 
The WJU senior has been fearless in helping to keep opponents' shots out of the net since starting her career on August 30, 2012 against Slippery Rock, a 1-0 defeat.
 
Fast forward the clock over three years later, Kraus and her four fellow Cardinal seniors will take the pitch for the final time on Bishop Schmitt Field on Sunday, Oct. 25. WJU hosts Notre Dame College in a 3:30 p.m. start.
 
A four-year career, the WJU goalie Kraus produced 11 shutouts and 303 saves over 54 matches. In over 4,340 minutes in the Cardinal goal, she holds a 1.31 goals against average and a quality .828 career save percentage.
 
The Avon, Ohio native's road to Wheeling and to the Cardinal women's soccer team started her final scholastic season.

As part of the Strongsville Soccer Showcase, a tournament for high school seniors to demonstrate their skills for college coaches, Kraus was first seen by the WJU coaching staff. 

When the Showcase's games concluded, she received an email from Cardinal head coach Tyler Absalom and then head coach Carrie Hanna, the current WJU Director of Compliance and Student Formation. Kraus started her exploration and possible opportunity for a WJU career.

"WJU had the chemistry program I wanted, and you can just tell if you like a coach," Kraus expressed. "I was offered scholarships for two things I was interested in, soccer and chemistry, and it became the ideal combination for me."

Along with her Showcase performance, Kraus posted stellar Avon Lake High career numbers. She was named All-Conference first team four-straight years and broke eight goalkeeping records. Both Cardinal coaches were excited to see how Kraus would make the college level transition.

The college transition turned out to be a rather smooth one. Kraus adapted well to the speed of the college game. As a freshman, Holly moved right into the starting netminder spot and stayed there for all 16 WJU matches. In over 1,288 minutes that first year, Holly recorded three shutouts, saved 68 shots and posted a season-high 10 saves against Ursuline.

"It was truly impressive to see Holly start games as a freshman the way that she did," Absalom stated. "There is so much responsibility as the goalkeeper. It's physically and mentally tough to start at goalie as a freshman."

Kraus' success continued her sophomore campaign. In 14 starts, the second-year goalie produced an impressive 1.12 goals against average, shut out two teams, saved 43 opponents' scoring tries and had a season-high seven saves versus Concord.

"She is always quick and has gained a better understanding over the years to hone her skills. She will make one save instead of two or three," coach Absalom expressed. "I'm glad to have her in the program."
 
After losing a number of senior team members after her sophomore season, Kraus knew she needed to step up as a team leader in her third season. Kraus accomplished the need to become a leader with her best season where she doubled her combined save total of her first two years.

"Talking is always innate," she says, referring to giving directions from the goal crease. "I've grown because instead of getting mad at someone, I now try to give constructive criticism."

As a junior, Holly recorded her standout year. Starting all 16 games, Kraus finished the year in the Top 10 of all NCAA College Divisions (I, II or III) in save percentage at .850 as she stopped 265 of 289 shots she faced in over 1,505 minutes of action. She stopped 10 or more saves in five matches with her career-high of 16 coming in a 1-1 draw against Concord. Kraus also finished the season with six or more saves in 15 of the Cardinals' 16 matches.

Heading into her final season, Kraus aimed to complete her Cardinal career with her best season. For the squad's opening eight matches, she was on track for her best year. In those eight starts, Holly saved opponents' shots at a .862 save percentage rate in 127 shots faced. She posted a 1.09 goals against average, her lowest since her sophomore year, and saved 56 shots in 740 minutes. Kraus also posted 11 saves against both Shepherd and again against rival West Liberty.

In the midst of her final campaign, Kraus was forced to the sidelines. With a nagging injury keeping her out of the lineup since her 11-save performance on Sept. 27 at West Liberty, the senior has turned to working hard with her teammates, especially her replacement, freshman goalie Hannah Thompson and her transition to the collegiate game, the same one she made three years ago.

"I refer to myself as a sideline coach. I still go to practices and continue to be the backup goalie, but I spend more time now helping my teammates and coaches," said Kraus. "I am a really competitive person and I don't feel accomplished unless I am pushing myself."

As she looks back on her career, Kraus can see her growth as a player. The senior has not only excelled on the field, but she has also been on the Dean's List. Holly maintains an impressive 3.563 overall GPA as a chemistry major.

"Holly is extremely intelligent and in one of the toughest majors, chemistry. Her success in the classroom is equally impressive as her athletic performance," Absalom added.

As a student athlete, she was quick to say that it all comes down to time management.

"I get work done before and after practice and in between classes. When we're on the bus travelling to and from games, I would read and try to get ahead if I knew I wouldn't have time the next week," Kraus stressed.

Ultimately, Kraus says she has not found it hard to balance school and soccer, which is a testament to her hard work ethic and the self-driven person she is.

Upon her May graduation, Kraus will be taking a break from soccer as she hopes to obtain a chemistry lab-based job. Holly aims to do lab experiments and work for a year or two, before she decides if she wants to go on to graduate school. Ultimately, she wants to work in pharmaceutical research.
 
The stalwart WJU goalie, Kraus, looks to use the same fervor she has on the pitch stopping opponents' shots as she will in her career in the chemistry field.
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Holly Kraus

#1 Holly Kraus

G
5' 7"
Senior
Hannah Thompson

#00 Hannah Thompson

GK
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Holly Kraus

#1 Holly Kraus

5' 7"
Senior
G
Hannah Thompson

#00 Hannah Thompson

5' 9"
Freshman
GK