Kipp Keller, who played three seasons for the Billikens from 2019-21, was taken by Austin FC with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Tuesday.
“Kipp is one of the most driven players that I have had the pleasure of working with,” SLU head coach Kevin Kalish said. “His desire to improve, his will to win and his overall fighting spirit makes him unique. When you look at some of the best defenders that St. Louis has ever produced, he has all the same qualities – he is tough, strong, intelligent, a great teammate, a leader, and unbelievably competitive.”
A second-team All-American and the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Keller had 49 appearances in his three-year Billiken career. He was a big part of the Billikens’ defensive effort that regularly ranked among the top defensive teams in the nation. He had 12 points (5G, 2A) throughout his career, including a career-high three goals in 2021. Keller helped Saint Louis to a 16-1-4 record, an undefeated regular season, A-10 regular-season and tournament titles, and an NCAA quarterfinal appearance in 2021.
As a freshman in 2019, Keller was a second-team All-Conference selection and earned a spot on the league’s All-Rookie team. He scored a thrilling goal with less than 10 seconds remaining in double overtime at SIUE as the Billikens retained the Bronze Boot trophy. Keller was a second-team All-Region and All-Conference choice in 2020.
A St. Louis native, Keller signed an Academy contract with Saint Louis FC’s (USL) first team in 2019. He captained the Saint Louis FC U19 team that advanced to the USSDA playoffs in 2018. He attended Principia School in St. Louis.
