Kulig, born in Herrenberg, Swabia, Baden-Württemberg, started her career at age eight at SV Poltringen, where she initially played in a boys' team. In 2001, she joined SV Unterjesingen, before moving to VfL Sindelfingen two years later. She made her 2. Frauen-Bundesliga debut at Sindelfingen, where she scored 17 goals in her first season in the country's second division. In 2008, Kulig won the Fritz Walter medal in silver as the year's second best female junior player.[6] That year she moved to the Frauen-Bundesliga side Hamburger SV. During three seasons at the club, she scored 27 goals in 59 Bundesliga appearances.[4] From the 2011–12 season, Kulig has signed a three-year contract with 1. FFC Frankfurt.[5]
In September 2015 she announced her retirement due to continued problems with a knee injury. She is now working with the DFB and as a soccer commentator for ZDF.[7][8]
Kulig returned to junior competition one year later, helping Germany lift the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup on home soil. In the tournament's final against Nigeria, Kulig hit the post which resulted in a Nigerian own goal and sealed the German 2–0 victory. Kulig was honoured as the tournament's third-best player.[9] She has been called up for Germany's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.[5]
During the quarter-final of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup she was taken out in the 4th minute due to an ACL injury of the right knee. On 15 September 2012, Kulig made her comeback after 14 months of injury in the UEFA Euro 2013 Qualifiers against Kazakhstan.[10]
Personal life
On 29 May 2016, Kulig married former footballer Melanie Soyah.
Career statistics
Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first:
