Soccer goals are an odd thing to request as a birthday present, but redshirt sophomore Kate Kirwan wants nothing more than to give that very gift to her mom.

Kirwan has given that gift three times this season since her mom asked in August.

The soccer road started at an early age for Kirwan.

“I was four, and I started playing for my church,” she said.

“My neighbor Jason was playing, and I wanted to be just like him.”

Her play led the native Texan to Ames, where she has recorded impressive numbers as a Cyclone. As a freshman last year, Kirwan was voted Iowa State’s newcomer of the year, as well as co-MVP.

With eight goals and 21 points, Kirwan was also selected to the Big 12 all-newcomer team.

She hasn’t let up this season.

Kirwan has already logged three goals and two assists. Her eight points is second-best on the team.

“I like celebrations after goals,” Kirwan said with a grin.

“Everyone gets so happy and so excited.”

The jubilation after goals is just about as vocal as she gets on the field. Still relatively young in her collegiate career, Kirwan leaves the verbal leadership to the upperclassmen.

“Kate’s not really a verbal leader, but she leaves it all on the field at practice and in games,” said teammate and roommate Kristina Baumann. “Even when she’s in pain, she fights through it.”

ISU coach Rebecca Hornbacher said Kirwan is a dynamic player.

“She’s very technical on the ball, and she has fantastic feet,” Hornbacher said.

Hornbacher said she is excited to see how Kirwan will develop as her collegiate career evolves.

“Her best years and games are ahead of her still,” Hornbacher said.

“She has such strength and passion for the game — that she wants to do whatever she can to contribute.”

Kirwan’s success on the field can be partly attributed to her constant dedication to improve.

“She puts a lot of pressure on herself,” Hornbacher said. “She has so much room to grow and she’s already doing a dynamite job.”

Despite all of the pressure that she feels, Kirwan can always turn to her mom for support, no matter when or what the circumstance.

“Sometimes I’ll just miss the bus and call her when I’m walking home,” Kirwan said. “We just always have something to talk about.”

For her birthday in August, Kirwan’s mom asked for a gift that continues giving throughout the soccer season.

“My mom wanted goals for her birthday,” Kirwan said, grinning.

As the season wears on and other individuals tire out, Kirwan shows the heart that has earned the complete support of her team.

“The team has a great deal of respect for Kate,” Hornbacher said.

“They realize that she is going to go 100 percent all the time.”