Recently, the 2004 and 2006 Metropolitan State University of Denver women’s soccer teams were announced as inductees for the 2023 RMAC Hall of Fame. That likely wouldn’t have been possible without the prolific, Kylee Palmer, formerly Kylee Hanavan.
Hanavan was a three-year member of the MSU Denver soccer team and immediately elevated the program from an NCAA tournament team to a national championship program and a dynasty.
After spending a year as a goal scorer at Western Nebraska Community College, Hanavan stepped onto the MSU Denver campus and made an immediate impact for the Roadrunners as one of the more prolific goal scorers not only in MSU Denver history but also in RMAC and NCAA history. Her 2014 season included setting RMAC records in points and goals while serving as a key piece of a national championship team.
The 2005 season included Hanavan surpassing her previous season in goals (30) and points (71) in addition to breaking her own record for game-winning goals (10).
Despite having, arguably, the best season of her career, the team fell just short of a national championship in 2005, leaving just one more season for Hanavan to lead the Roadrunners to glory. They accomplished this feat in 2006, when Hanavan took on more of a play-making role, still scoring 23 goals, but adding 20 assists, a single-season RMAC record that still stands today.
When all was said and done, Hanavan led MSU Denver to two national championships, while being named the 2006 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and the 2006 Honda Award winner, an honor presented to the top NCAA DII female athlete, regardless of sport. She was also named All-America three times and RMAC Player of the Year twice throughout her illustrious career. To this day, Hanavan is the RMAC career leader in points (205), goals (80) and assists (45).
Hanavan was dedicated to making a difference off the pitch as well and graduated in 2008 with a degree in social work.
Former head coach, RMAC Hall of Famer, and current head coach at the University of Colorado, Danny Sanchez said the following, “Kylee is arguably the most dominant Division II soccer player in history, and I am not sure the RMAC or Division II soccer will ever see another player like her.” Sanchez continued, “Kylee’s goal-scoring record and leadership in helping us to two national championships goes without saying, however, I have not been around many student-athletes that were humbler and more willing to pass any attention on to her teammates and soccer program.” Sanchez finished, “she is more than deserving of receiving this great honor from the RMAC.”