A Feature Story on How Kristen Geyer Shaped Regis Women’s Soccer Beyond the Records
This is the second profile of five individuals being inducted in to the 2017 RMAC Hall of Fame on Friday, July 14 at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel. The 1999 University of Nebraska at Kearney Softball Team will also be inducted. Tickets for the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet can be purchased by clicking here.
Nearly two decades ago, Regis women's soccer head coach J.B. Belzer found himself a standout soccer player who would later develop into an All-American and one of the best players in Regis history; her name is Kristen Geyer.
Belzer recruited Kristen out of Fort Collins High School, knowing she would be a great asset to the team.
"[Dave Shaffer] her club coach at the time said, 'Hey you need to come up and you need to look at Kristen and some of my other players,'" said Belzer. "Kristen was the one that I obviously was enamored with. I watched her in high school and said, 'I [have to] have this kid come to Regis.'"
Kristen began playing for the Regis Rangers in 2001. She was a unique competitor on and off the field, and immensely developed her skills as an individual and team player.
"Kristen trained with a purpose and when it was time to train she had a passion for playing the game," claimed Belzer. "She was in the zone and that mentality brought her teammates along. It was something she refused to lose in training and refused to lose in games; she took it personally and that is the type of athlete that ultimately leads your team."
That same year, the Rangers captured the RMAC regular season and tournament champions with an 18-1-1 overall record. They made it to the NCAA Midwest Regional Final, which was their first NCAA post-season appearance since 1996.
As a sophomore in 2002, Kristen's career began to evolve. She was voted RMAC Player of the Year and was named NSCAA Division II First Team All-America.
"It was an extremely brilliant year," stated Belzer. "[She had] her biggest goal scoring production, 18 goals on the season. It was the manner she led us, doing so many things - scoring in different methods, with her head, flick, redirects, power shots from distance, both feet and I think that ultimately allowed her to be conference player of the year. Given the fact that we finished second that season, it was enough that the other coaches recognized her unique special ability."
Not only did the Fort Collins, Colorado native finish the 2002 season leading the team in goals, points, shots, shots on goal and game-winning goals, but she would lead the team in those respective categories for the rest of her career as a Ranger.
At the end of her four years (2001-2004), Geyer scored 137 career points, which ranks her third in Regis history and seventh in the RMAC all-time record book.
"[Kristen] scored in every compacity [and] she is probably the best female player I have ever trained and coached that was able to score with her head," said Belzer. "...it was a unique combination of being special in many different ways."
She also garnered 53 career goals, 17 game-winning goals and 31 career assists. One of the best game-winning goals Belzer recalls was against Barry University.
"They [Barry University] were third ranked in the country at that time and Kristen pulled out a game-winning, brilliant run and finish with about 12 seconds remaining in the second overtime. To win the day one nil, and ultimately that catapulted us onto the NCAA tournament later in the season."
Kristen helped lead the Rangers to another RMAC Tournament Championship title in 2003 and her final NCAA appearance in 2004 to cap-off her career. Her legacy will continue at Regis for years down the road, even beyond her accolades.
"[I will remember] her mentality to win. She just cared [about] how she trained and how she prepared. Whatever came her way for accolades came her way. She didn't care about that, it was more [so] 'I just want to win; I want to play; I want to score goals; give me the ball I want to score a goal.'"
Kristen will be honored at the 2017 RMAC Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet, held at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel on Friday, July 14.