The Rise of Khyah Harper: From Pink Headbands to Golden Goals

Before she became a standout player for the Golden Gophers, Khyah Harper was just a little girl with big dreams, playing alongside her sister Sadie as part of the "pink headband girls." Fast forward to today, and Khyah is leading a dynamic team of 27 women, donning maroon and gold, to their best start since 2018.

A Journey of Resilience

Khyah Harper's collegiate journey has been anything but conventional. This season marks her first time feeling fully healthy, a significant milestone considering she underwent multiple surgeries during her previous three years with the Gophers. Here’s a closer look at her path:

• Freshman Year: Faced ankle surgery that sidelined her.
• Sophomore Year: Played a full season but still felt the lingering effects of her injury.
• 2024 Season: Started off healthy and shows no signs of slowing down.

Unleashing Her Inner Fire

From her very first game in 2021, Khyah's intensity was evident. She made a splash by attempting four shots in her debut—more than any other Gopher that season. Her mother, Desiree Harper, states that this fierce energy is characteristic of Khyah:

“Since she was a little girl, she’s always been a little spitfire. She walked early, she talked early, always kind of a catch me if you can attitude.”

The Power of Sisterhood

In high school, Khyah teamed up again with Sadie on the North Branch Area High School soccer team. The duo later transferred to Centennial High School, where they combined for an impressive 104 goals and 70 assists over two years. Even after Sadie graduated, Khyah maintained her dominance, finishing her high school career with:

• 26 goals in her senior season
• 134 career goals and 71 assists

Setting Goals and Achieving Dreams

As Khyah transitioned to collegiate soccer, she became a four-star prospect and chose to stay close to home, ensuring her parents could support her at most games. Khyah credits her family for keeping her grounded:

“They push me, they humble me and I think I’m super fortunate to have them.”

Post-high school, Khyah played with the Salvo Soccer Club, where she was coached by Greg Wheaton. He recognized her talent early on, stating:

“The talent has always been there. She just has that knack for scoring goals.”

With her sights set high, Khyah outlined her goals, which included:

• Becoming Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
• Winning the Golden Boot for the Women’s Premier Soccer League
• Scoring at least 10 goals in her senior season

So far, she’s achieved the first two, with eight goals already scored and 11 regular-season games remaining.

A Bright Future Ahead

Alongside her impressive athletic achievements, Khyah is studying to become an orthopedic physician assistant, inspired by her own surgical experiences. She expressed:

“I really like the environment in the clinic.”

After seven games into the season and with the team’s first Big Ten win secured, Gophers head coach Erin Chastain attributes Khyah's success to her newfound health and vigor.

Desiree Harper believes her daughter is just scratching the surface of her potential:

“I still feel like she hasn’t reached her ceiling in college. I feel like she’s getting there this year.”

If there's truth to the saying, “mother knows best,” then Khyah Harper and the Gophers are poised for an exceptional conference season.

What Do You Think?

• Will Khyah Harper's health continue to hold up throughout the season?