The sport of soccer has taken Kelcie Hedge to various corners of the globe some can only dream of seeing.

That journey is just getting started.

HEDGE, WHO recently completed her senior season at Santa Clara, was selected ninth overall in last week’s National Women’s Soccer League Draft by the Reign FC of Seattle.

Hedge played at Post Falls High as a freshman and sophomore, then spent her junior and senior year of high school playing for youth national teams before playing at the University of Washington as a freshman in 2015. Hedge transferred to Santa Clara starting in 2017 for her final three years of collegiate eligibility.

“Getting drafted was a very special moment,” said Hedge, a midfielder. “What made it even better was the fact that I was surrounded by my entire family when it happened. It almost didn’t feel real at first because I have been dreaming about this moment since I was a child. So when it actually happened, I was brought to tears, but I also couldn’t stop smiling. Having an opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing professionally, while also remaining in the Northwest was more than I could have ever imagined. I thank God for these two incredible blessings, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

In Seattle, Hedge will be teammates with Megan Rapinoe, the U.S. women’s soccer star, whose fame grew with the American women winning the 2019 World Cup over the summer.

“I’ve watched her my entire life,” Hedge said of Rapinoe. “And I think she is one of the best players to come out of the U.S. Her composure and skill on the ball is what stands out the most to me. She beats people down the flank with her craftiness and isn’t in a hurry to get rid of the ball. Whether she has a player tight to her, or if she’s taking someone 1v1, you can tell she is very confident with the ball. I am very excited to play with and learn from her. She is an excellent player.”

Reign FC begins its season at Houston on April 14.

“What I’m most looking forward to in my professional career is seizing every opportunity to continue to learn and grow, not only as a player, but also as a person,” Hedge said. The Reign is an incredible organization, surrounded with incredible players and staff. And I’m ready to enjoy, embrace and learn in every moment of it.”

WHILE AT Santa Clara, Hedge was coached by another U.S. soccer legend in Brandi Chastain, the hero of the 1999 World Cup.

“Meeting Brandi for the first time was a very surreal moment,” Hedge said. “I have looked up to her since I was young and have always aspired to be like her. But what’s even better than just meeting her was having the opportunity to be coached by her. Being a student of the game herself, she always provided me with the most simple, yet game-changing advice, that would take my play to the next level.”

At Santa Clara, Hedge started all 64 games, finishing with 13 goals and 16 assists. In her freshman season at Washington in 2015, Hedge started all 21 games, finishing with four goals and three assists. Hedge redshirted as a sophomore to play for the U-20 national team.

“Brandi gave me a life’s worth of advice during my time at Santa Clara,” Hedge said. “But something that continues to help my game — and my every day life — is this unforgettable piece of advice. ‘You are an 11 (out of 10), play like it and be it.’ This meaningful statement reminded me that believing in oneself is a very important trait to have in order to achieve success.”

To Hedge, that success can happen for any athlete with a little hard work.

“My advice for younger kids who want to get to where I am today would be to dream big,” Hedge said. “I know it sounds cliché, but many people don’t dream, because they fear failure. However, dreaming big must also come with an attitude of working hard and never giving up. The road to success is bumpy and scary at times, but you must never give up and always push through the fear. Because in the end, you will be a much stronger person. The sky is the limit for every kid out there who dreams big and embraces adversity with a good attitude.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.