Avery Ciorbu

Avery Ciorbu
Ciorbu with Racing Louisville in 2025
Personal information
Birth name Avery Lynne Kalitta
Date of birth (2003-07-15) July 15, 2003 (age 23)
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Racing Louisville
Number 32
Youth career
Michigan Hawks
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Michigan Wolverines 78 (1)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Flint City AFC
2025– Racing Louisville 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of May 23, 2026

Avery Lynne Ciorbu (née Kalitta; born July 15, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Michigan Wolverines.

Early life

Ciorbu grew up in Saline, Michigan, as one of multiple children born to Doug Kalitta and Josie Kalitta. She attended Washtenaw Christian Academy, where she played varsity basketball, but not soccer. Instead, she was a member of the Elite Clubs National League and played for the Michigan Hawks. She took a trip to the ECNL National Finals in 2019 and was a two-time all-conference selection.

College career

Over four years, Ciorbu made 78 appearances for the Michigan Wolverines soccer program. 24 of those matches came in her freshman season, where she started 9 games. Ciorbu's performances heated up near the end of the year, helping her earn a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team. The next season, she was named to the Big Ten Preseason Watchlist and later cemented her spot as the Wolverines' starting defensive midfielder. She scored her first (and only) college goal in a 7–2 victory over Toledo on September 11, 2022. Ciorbu ended up starting all of Michigan's matches over the course of the season, a feat which she would also repeat in her next two years of college. She also won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award as a sophomore and was named to the All-Big Ten third team as a junior.

Ciorbu played for Flint City AFC in the pre-professional USL W League during two consecutive college offseasons. She played in two matches in 2022, staying on for 90 minutes in both games. In her second season at Flint City, Ciorbu contributed to an undefeated regular season record and subsequent playoff qualification.

Club career

On March 21, 2025, Ciorbu signed her first professional deal with Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League. She had previously trained with the club in preseason before inking an injury replacement contract. On May 6, Ciorbu re-signed with Racing Louisville on a permanent deal lasting through the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season. She appeared on 22 of 26 gameday rosters for the club, but did not earn a competitive appearance. On December 10, 2025, Ciorbu signed a new, one-year deal with Racing Louisville.

Ciorbu made her professional debut on March 28, 2026, coming on as a second-half substitute for Macey Hodge in a 2–1 loss to the Seattle Reign.

Personal life

She married Rostik Ciorbu in January 2026.

Career statistics

Club

As of May 23, 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Racing Louisville FC 2025 NWSL 00—0000
2026 30——30
Career total 30000030
  1. ↑ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. ↑ Includes NWSL playoffs

References

  1. ↑ "102nd Annual Honors Convocation" (PDF). University of Michigan. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Avery Kalitta - Women's Soccer". University of Michigan Athletics. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Klein Signs Four to 2021 Recruiting Class". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ Chodes, Andrew (September 15, 2022). "Maryland women's soccer vs. Michigan preview". Testudo Times. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Haakenson, Kalitta Haul in Big Ten Honors". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Wolverines Finish Non-Conference Play With Big Win at Toledo". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Flint City AFC kick off on the road". Flint City AFC - W League. May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Flint City AFC - 2022 Regular Season - Roster - #25 - Avery Kalitta - M". www.uslwleague.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  9. ↑ Pearson, Mark; Mose, Hannah (July 3, 2023). "Flint City AFC gearing up for postseason". WNEM. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Racing activates Pikkujämsä, signs rookie midfielder Kalitta". Racing Louisville FC. Archived from the original on March 22, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Racing Louisville signs rookie Kalitta to new deal". BVM Sports. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Racing midfielder Kalitta to return on new contract". Racing Louisville FC. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ Westlake, Amanda (December 10, 2025). "NWSL offseason news roundup: Chioma Okafor, Avery Kalitta, and Houston Dash vs Dallas Trinity". All For XI. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Avery Ciorbu at Soccerway
  15. ↑ Ciorbu, Avery [@averyciorbu]; (January 12, 2026). "Mr. & Mrs. Ciorbu". Retrieved January 23, 2026 – via Instagram.