Goaltender Sarah Keilty-Dilling and Full-Back Grace Stordy to Realize Childhood Dreams of Playing Professional Soccer at Home
CALGARY—Two born and raised Calgarians – Sarah Keilty-Dilling and Grace Stordy – will suit up for the hometown team when the Northern Super League kicks into action in the spring of 2025, the Calgary Wild FC announced on Wednesday.
Keilty-Dilling, a standout goalkeeper who has showcased exceptional talent and leadership throughout her career, will tend the nets, while ace defender Stordy will provide additional protection for Calgary’s first professional women’s sports team.
“Sarah and Grace exemplify the strong soccer programming and community that already exists in Calgary, and that we hope to amplify even more by showcasing both of these local talents and other international powerhouses that will make up the Calgary Wild FC’s inaugural roster,” said Alix Bruch, sporting director, Calgary Wild FC. “Both of these inspirational women have realized a childlhood dream of playing professional soccer for a hometown team that was once unthinkable. As two key members of this squad, they will surely inspire other young Calgarians to chase similar dreams that are now more realistic with a complete pathway to chase.”
Keilty-Dilling played NCAA Division I at University of Texas at El Paso between 2011 and 2015 where she became the all-time leader in games started (82), wins (41), and shutouts (20), and earned MVP and Female Athlete-of-the-Year honours in 2014. Keilty-Dilling then joined FC Tucson in 2015 where she chalked up five shutouts and another MVP recognition while tending the back end for the WPSL All-Star Team. Keilty-Dilling then returned home in 2016 where she excelled for the Calgary Foothills in the UWS League, earning multiple accolades including Team Captain and UWS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022 while leading the team to both championship and runner-up finishes in the Western Conference.
“What this means to me is hard to put into words because it is something that I have dreamt of since I was a little girl, and to be honest, for most of my life just seemed to be an impossible dream,”, said Keilty-Dilling, who represented Canada internationally at the 2017 World University Games and participated in U20 and U17 national camps in 2010.
“It's difficult to explain the feeling you get when your dreams come true. I feel very humbled with this opportunity which is one of the greatest honours of my life. I am more excited and motivated than I have ever been and cannot wait for April 2025, when I will get to step onto the pitch with my teammates at the professional level while seeing my family, friends and community in the stands. That is going to be a special day for sure.”
Grace Stordy also honed her footy skills in the Stampede City since kicking her first ball at three years old when she started playing at Willow Ridge.
A self-described offensive-driven player who is also good on both sides of the ball, Stordy has already played an instrumental role in putting Calgary’s women’s soccer programming in the spotlight where she has achieved success at every level throughout her development pathway.
After guiding Calgary Foothills to a 2016 National Championship title, Stordy led her Calgary high school to a Divisional Championship in 2018 before making her mark south of the border in the NCAA ranks where she was a consistent force captaining the University of Memphis Tigers. The world-class full back is a master attacker while using pace going forward to connect with wingers and midfielders, mixed with her strong physicality and success in duals across the backline. She earned ACC Rookie-of-the-Year honours during the 2020-21 season.
“Being named to the Calgary Wild FC is an absolute honour. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to be able to represent the city I love and grew up in. Professional soccer has been an incredible experience for me so far, but finally having the opportunity to play professionally on Calgary soil is truly an incredible feeling, something I will never take for granted,” said Stordy, who played pro with SC Braga in the Portugeuse first division.
“Growing up in Calgary there wasn’t much for me to be excited about or look up to professionally. The Calgary Wild FC is already catching the eye of many young and old and we are just getting started! I am very motivated to go out into the community and chat with young players aspiring to play professionally! This city has giving me so many opportunities, and I am beyond excited to help create, and guide, young players to even more opportunities with the professional game now being part of their pathway.”
The two Calgary standouts join two international stars in Afghan-Canadian Farkhunda Muhtaj and Kiwi Meikayla Moore. Muhtaj, who is also the captain of the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team, is a social activist who bridges the world of sport, education and humanitarianism. Moore is a three-time representative on New Zealand’s Olympic Team (2024, 2020, 20216),
About Calgary Wild FC
Calgary Wild FC is one off six teams in the newly created Northern Super League which will begin its inaugural season in 2025, featuring some of the best women’s soccer players in the world. Shop our exclusive merch and be one of the early #fansinthewild. For the latest news and information on Calgary Wild FC, visit www.calgarywildfc.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and X. Follow the league at www.nsl.ca.
For further information
Chris Dornan
Calgary Wild FC
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: hpprchris@shaw.ca