Get to Know OL Reign Draft Pick Kelcie Hedge

Kelcie Hedge was selected with OL Reign’s first pick, ninth overall, at the 2020 NWSL College Draft. After a stellar career at Santa Clara University and signing with the club on March 6, Hedge is ready to prove she belongs in the pros.

Hedge had already graduated from Santa Clara this winter. She took in the draft from the comfort of her family home in Idaho.

“It was a very special moment,” Hedge said. “I decided to not go to Baltimore and stay home, so I was surrounded by my entire family when it happened. It was super special. It almost didn’t feel real at first. I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a child. When it happened, I was brought to tears and I couldn’t stop smiling. Having an opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing pro and staying in the Northwest and coming to Seattle is more than I could have ever imagined.”

Hedge is familiar with the Puget Sound. She spent her freshman year at the University of Washington, where she was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after scoring four goals and recording three assists.

The midfielder elected to redshirt her sophomore season, however, in order to take part in the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

“It was hard to put my college career on hold, because we had done so well my freshman year and we were really excited to keep expanding on that,” Hedge said. “But my dream is to play on the full women’s national team one day. This was the next step for me. It was a hard decision, but I wanted to keep growing as a player. Throughout that year, I grew so much as a player and person. I grew through meeting new people and having to learn how to play with new people. The amount of wisdom and soccer knowledge that I got from my coaches was more than I ever imagined. I want to take it with me at every level.”

Returning to college soccer, Hedge transferred to Santa Clara, where she was a three-year starter and was named the WCC Player of the Year in 2018.

“Santa Clara was one of the best decisions I made, transferring there,” Hedge said. “(Head coach) Jerry (Smith) really helped me become the player I am today. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He was hard on me and pushed me beyond my limits. That’s what’s pushed me and has gotten me to the next level. I also think Santa Clara, as a whole, has shaped me into who I am. It’s like you get the best of both worlds here at Santa Clara. It’s a small school with a family feel, but it also has a great soccer program where you can grow into who you want to be and go where you want to be. Santa Clara has propelled me to where I want to be today.”

As a senior, Hedge scored five goals and added a team-high 10 assists for the Broncos.  Hedge said she feels most comfortable playing as a 10 and looking to set up scoring chances.

“(My position) depends on what team I’ve been on,” Hedge said. “I’ve played different positions. I love to score and get into the attack, but I feel like my style of play is being that creator, the person who finds the passes and makes things happen by starting plays in the middle.”

As she waits patiently for her first professional season to begin, Hedge is ready to see how much further the professional environment can hone her skills.

“I would say what I’m most excited about would be that I’m looking forward to growing and learning more as a player,” Hedge said. “I’ve looked up to these players since I was young. Being able to play with them is so exciting because I know that they’re going to be able to push me and challenge me. The coaching staff is incredible and I’m excited to learn and grow from them, as well.”

From an emotional standpoint, though, Hedge’s arrival at OL Reign is a dream come true for the midfielder. Her time at Washington made her well acquainted with her new club. The idea of playing in front of the same fans that she used to sit with as a college player thrills her.

“UW took us to quite a few OL Reign matches,” Hedge said. “I always wanted to go to as many as I could. It’s been cool to follow them all these years. Growing up and watching those games and being in the stands, watching the players and knowing how much I looked up to them and how much they inspired me was super cool. I think that in getting the opportunity to play on that field, what really excites me is being able to inspire the next generation and letting them know that they can follow their dreams.”