Natalie Kulla

Classroom

Kulla is a civil engineering major and aspires to continue her education in a master’s program in sustainability. Kulla owns a 3.596 grade point average as a civil engineering major and has been named to the Dean’s List in the College of Engineering each semester she has been at Marquette. She also participates on the College of Engineering’s concrete canoe team. She was recognized by CoSIDA as an Academic All-Region Second Team selection and by the NSCAA as a NSCAA Scholar All-Central Region First Team honoree following the 2010 season.

Character

Kulla is a tremendous young lady who shines through her character, sense of humor, tireless work ethic and drive to succeed. She emulates Marquette’s motto of “Cura Personalis,” or care for the whole person, and is someone who embodies the team spirit. A captain for the 2011 squad, Kulla is not someone who asks for respect, but one who has earned it by the example she sets. She puts her team first and rarely acknowledges individual accolades. She is one of the most respected players on the team.

Community

Kulla has been actively involved with several service organizations and volunteers her time not only on Marquette’s campus but also in the Milwaukee community. Throughout her career as a Marquette student-athlete she has helped to raise nearly $10,000 in support of breast cancer research through the team’s annual Cancer Awareness night and its Kicks Against Cancer initiative in 2009. Kulla has also been involved with Marquette’s Cure for Kirby, Hunger Clean-Up, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, St. Vincent DePaul, and TOPSoccer. Kulla is Marquette’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) secretary and regularly encourages her peers to get involved.

Competition

Kulla was named the BIG EAST Conference Goalkeeper of the Year after leading Marquette to its second straight BIG EAST American Division championship. She has played in 65 career games, starting in 64, owns a 40-15-8 overall record, a goals against average of 0.72, 181 saves and a program-record 32 shutouts. She set Marquette’s single season shutouts record with 16 in 2009 as well as a program record for longest interval between goals allowed (738 minutes). Along with her league goalkeeper of the year honors, she was also an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. Kulla earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors after helping Marquette to its first BIG EAST American Division title in 2009. With Kulla in net, not only has Marquette won back-to-back conference titles, but has earned berths in the NCAA Tournament each of the last three seasons and advanced to the third round in 2010. Following the 2009 season, Kulla was named to the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team.