Emina Ekic

Emina Ekić (born 6 June 1999) is a Bosnian professional women's soccer player who plays as a forward for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and for the Bosnia and Herzegovina women's national football team. She previously played college soccer for the Louisville Cardinals.

Emina Ekić
Ekic with Racing Louisville FC in 2023
Personal information
Full name Emina Ekić[1]
Date of birth (1999-06-06) 6 June 1999
Place of birth Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Racing Louisville FC
Number 13
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 Louisville Cardinals 66 (29)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Racing Louisville 35 (3)
2022–2023 → Melbourne City (loan) 6 (4)
International career‡
2019 United States U23
2023– Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 July 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 Oct 2023

Early life

Both of Ekić's parents were born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2] Ekić attended DuPont Manual High School, where she was named the 2015–16 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year.[3] Ekić also played for Javanon SC.[4]

Louisville Cardinals

As a freshman in 2017, Ekić played in all 18 games for Louisville, starting 17 of them, and scored a team-high seven goals. She was named ACC Co-Freshman of the Year, as well as being selected to the All-ACC second team and ACC All-Freshman team.[4]

In 2018, Ekić started all 18 games for the Cardinals, and earned first team All-ACC team honors.[5]

In her junior season, Ekić started all 20 games. She scored 8 goals, including a game-winner vs. Vanderbilt on September 15.

In the 2020 fall season, Ekić started all nine games of the shortened ACC season. Ekić scored seven goals and was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year.[6]

Club career

Ekić declared for the 2021 NWSL Draft on 17 December 2020.[7] She was drafted fifth overall by hometown expansion team Racing Louisville FC.[8][9] Ekić signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[10]

She made her debut for Racing Louisville in their first match of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.[11] She scored Racing's first NWSL regular-season goal with a left-footed shot into the upper corner of the goal in a 2-0 win over the Washington Spirit, the club's first victory. Ekić finished her rookie season with 15 appearances, including three starts.[12]

In November 2022, Racing exercised its option on Ekić's contract[10] and loaned her to Australian club Melbourne City until mid-February.[13] During the loan, Ekić suffered a broken ankle and missed the first weeks of the 2023 season.[14]

International career

Ekić played with the United States women's national under-23 soccer team at the Thorns Spring Invitational tournament in 2019.[15]

In July 2023, the Bosnia and Herzegovina women's national football team called Ekić up to its senior team for friendly matches against Greece and Hungary.[14][2]

References
  1. Emina Ekic at Soccerway
  2. Arjona, Helena (6 July 2023). "Racing Louisville FC player gets national call-up for Bosnian and Herzegovina team". WLKY. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  3. Grossman, Jack. "Emina Ekic wins Gatorade Player of the Year award". Manual RedEye. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  4. "Emina Ekic – Women's Soccer". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  5. "2018–19 Year in Review". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  6. "2020 All-ACC Women's Soccer Awards Announced". theacc.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  7. "Emina Ekic to Declare for 2021 NWSL Draft". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  8. Yang, Stephanie (13 January 2021). "All the picks from the 2021 NWSL College Draft". All For XI. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  9. Hamlin, Steve (10 April 2021). "Class of 2021: Emina Ekic, Racing Louisville FC". NWSL. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  10. "Racing announces initial offseason roster moves" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  11. "Racing Louisville (W) vs Orlando Pride (W) lineup in NWSL Challenge Cup East - Round 1 on Saturday, April 10 2021". FotMob. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  12. "Emina Ekic". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  13. "City signs American attacker Emina Ekic on loan" (Press release). Melbourne City. 8 November 2022.
  14. "Ekic Called up by Bosnia and Herzegovina for International Friendlies". OurSportsCentral (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  15. Bernstein, Dan (15 March 2021). "USWNT U23 forward Ekic gets psychological push from Racing Louisville staff ahead of pivotal 2021". Goal. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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