JelenaSever

Jelena Sever is entering her fourth season in the Bluegrass in 2026. In her time at Kentucky, the program has advanced to two NCAA Tournaments, three SEC Tournaments, and two double-digit win seasons.

In 2025, Sever was part of the staff that saw Kentucky advance to the Big Dance for the second consecutive season. The Cats finished in a tie for fifth in the SEC standings with 18 points, both bests for the program since 2014. Kentucky’s 12-4-4 record was its best in over a decade and a 1-0 win over Florida in the first round of the SEC Tournament marked the program’s first postseason win (not including advancements on penalty kicks) in the Fabiano era. The Cats did not lose over the final five weeks of the season, exiting both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments in penalties.

In 2024, Sever aided Kentucky to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014. The Wildcats posted an 11-5-5 record, their first double digit win season since 2014, and hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cats tied West Virginia at the Bell before advancing on penalties, ultimately falling to Notre Dame in the second round.

During her first season in 2023, Sever served both as an assistant coach and the program’s director of operations. It was a successful season for the Wildcats as the team notched nine wins, (most since 2015), picked up 13 points in SEC play (most since 2014) and reached the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

Sever played collegiate soccer at the University of Milwaukee from 2018-21 where she totaled 24 goals over the course of her career, won four Horizon League titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances.

She is known for scoring the fastest goal in NCAA soccer history when she struck just 3.2 seconds into Milwaukee’s game against Youngstown State on Sept. 26, 2018.

With the Panthers, Sever was twice named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team. She was a three-time All-Horizon League selection, including a nod to the league’s First Team in 2020. Sever was a five-time Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week. As a Freshman in 2018, Sever led the league with seven goals.

Post college, Sever played for ZFK Spartak in Serbia for one season. Appeared in a Champion’s League game in the fall of 2022, her professional debut. Won title in Super Liga, the top Serbian league.