THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: After delayed start, Hedge ready to chase a dream

With the saying “good things come to those who wait” in mind, fans can expect a stellar rookie season in the National Women’s Soccer League for Post Falls product Kelcie Hedge, right?

Already having her first season with the Seattle Reign delayed — originally to start on April 18 at Washington, D.C. — due to the coronavirus, she won’t have to wait much longer as the league intends to begin the season with a tournament in Utah starting on June 27.

HEDGE WAS in the midst of her first training camp in Seattle when the season was put on hold.

“We actually got four days into our preseason before the league started canceling training,” Hedge said.

Those early training sessions were a building block for Hedge.

“They were incredible all on their own,” Hedge said. “They were intense, challenging, competitive and fun. And that is something that I’ve held onto during this delay. Knowing what those four training sessions were like kept me motivated to continue to grow as a player and refine my skills over the past two months.”

Hedge will play midfielder for the Reign on a team that includes Team USA star Megan Rapinoe at forward, as well as Sofia Huerta, from Centennial High in Boise. Like Hedge, Huerta also played collegiately at Santa Clara.

“Getting to know my coaches and teammates during this time has been an adventure on its own,” Hedge said. “Everyone is so unique in their own way. Being able to learn more about them off the field, I believe, will only help me be more prepared to play with them on the field.”

Due to health guidelines, the Reign have not been able to train as a team since March.

“We train at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, but have only been able to train with our housemates,” Hedge said. “We have not been back to full-team training, however there are plans set in place as to when that will happen and when the season will start up again.”

SEATTLE OPENS its season in the NWSL Challenge Cup against Sky Blue FC on June 30 in Herriman, Utah.

“Staying in game shape is always hard when you aren’t allowed to play games,” Hedge said. “Our coaching staff has been incredible during this time. They’ve provided us with the stuff we need to continue to develop. They have been sending us daily conditioning and technical workouts, as well as (weight) lifting plans.”

Hedge’s final game for Santa Clara was Nov. 24, a 1-0 loss at USC in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

“I believe the time to prepare ends when the opportunity arises,” Hedge said. “So every day I plan to get better. Having this extra long offseason isn’t something I can control. I can only control what I can control, which is seizing every day and being thankful for what I have at the moment. This extra time has allowed me to turn my weaknesses into my strengths and learn more about myself as a player in the face of adversity.”

On Wednesday, the University of Montana announced the Reign are using campus facilities in Missoula to train for their return to play.

“Playing professional soccer has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Hedge said. “Even now, during this unfortunate time, I realize I’m fulfilling a dream and that is what continues to motivate me day in and day out. But, I see this time now as a gift and an opportunity to prepare myself even further for this season and all of the seasons to come.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.