Natalia Kuikka


Natalia Kuikka is a Finnish football midfielder who plays for Kopparbergs/Goteborg FC in the Damallsvenskan in Sweden and the Finland National Team.

College career

Florida State University

Kuikka was recruited by Mark Krikorian to join his Florida State University squad for the 2015 season. In her freshman year, she played in a total of 19 games, all as a midfielder, tallying 6 goals and 5 assists. She scored the first goal of her career versus New Mexico State University on 21 August 2015. In the ACC tournament, her goal and two assists earned her the first of her ACC Tournament MVP Awards.
Moving to the central defender role beginning her sophomore season, Kuikka helped solidify a defense that allowed a paltry 0.39 GAA. For the second year in a row, she won the ACC Tournament MVP award for her solid defensive play and two shootout penalty kick conversions.
After being selected as a team captain, success as the director of the defensive line continued in her junior year. The Seminoles had eight clean sheets including two in the NCAA Tournament.
As a senior and team captain, Kuikka anchored the Seminoles defense and led the team to a school-record 16 shutouts, including four in the NCAA Tournament. The final two being in the College Cup versus defending champion Stanford and in the final versus UNC to claim the NCAA Championship. Her efforts garnered her the 2018-9 Honda Sport Award for the top female athlete in NCAA Division I soccer.
Kuikka graduated at the end of Fall Semester 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Criminology.

Club career

Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC

In January 2019, Kuikka signed with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in the Damallsvenskan in Sweden, joining her former Florida State University teammate and Finnish compatriot, Emma Koivisto.

Santa Clarita Blue Heat

In the summer of 2017, Kuikka joined Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the United Women's Soccer league. She helped lead the defense to allow only 5 goals in 8 regular season games. She started in the UWS semi-final and final alongside Florida State teammate, Deyna Castellanos.

Seattle Sounders Women

In the summer of 2016, Kuikka joined Seattle Sounders Women in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Alongside Florida State teammates Kaycie Tillman, Megan Connolly, and Cassie Miller, Kuikka helped the team go undefeated in the regular season to become WPSL NW Division Champions.

International career

Senior national team

Kuikka made her debut for the senior Finland National Team for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013. In 2017, she earned the Finland National Player of the Year award.

Youth national teams

Having been capped for the Finnish U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-20 teams, Kuikka also played in the U-20 Women's World Cup in 2014.

Honors

International

Kuikka's hometown is Kemi, Finland. She is the daughter of Heli Kuikka and Hannu Suhonen.