New Zealand age-group international Keegan Kelly has finished his United States college season in hot form, helping his Denver Pioneers to championship victory.
Kelly (21) scored four goals in the semi-final and final of the 2025 Summit League, earning him the MVP award for the post-season competition and a spot on the all-tournament team.
The Summit League is a conference in the top-tier NCAA Division 1, and by beating Kansas City Roos in the conference final, the Pioneers earn an automatic place in the national tournament.
The Denver Pioneers celebrate winning the conference final.
The striker has been at the University of Denver since 2023, after playing for Auckland clubs East Coast Bays and Western Springs.
Voted the NCAA player of the week after his hat-trick in the conference semi-final, Keegan put the Pioneers ahead in the second minute of the final.
His goal made him only the third player in Summit League Championship history to score four goals in post-season, and the first to do so in 27 years.
Kelly has played for the New Zealand U-23 and U-20 men’s national teams.
Watch the highlights
Result
Game played on Sunday November 16, 2025 (NZT)
Denver Pioneers 4 (Keegan Kelly 2′, Kyle McGowan 37′ pen, 67′ pen, Will King 64′)
Kansas City Roos 2 (Jeremy Francou 21′ pen, 74′)
This story was first published on November 18, 2025.