PHOTO BY MCKENNA MORIN
JONATHAN SPIELMANN; Sports Editor; spielmjs@plu.edu
“Everything that happens to me happens all of a sudden.”
This has been a recurring trend for Pacific Lutheran University senior Kelsey Hathaway. As a high school standout on the soccer field, Hathaway received the call that she made the women’s team her first year and moved her life from Gladstone, Oregon four days before training camp started.
In high school, Hathaway was appointed Team MVP and also served as team captain. She helped Gladstone win the Oregon 4A State Championship her sophomore and junior years, and was a three-time First Team All-League selection while garnering 1st team all-state and Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Fast forwarding four years, Hathaway hasn’t taken her foot off the gas pedal.
“I am constantly working on upping my assists and goals,” Hathaway said.
Since her first year in 2014, Hathaway has increased her goal scoring by at least one goal each season, and is consistently creating opportunities for teammates.
On Sept. 17 she scored what would be the game winning goal against Linfield in the 51st minute.
“I’ve never scored a header goal before,” Hathaway said. “It was surreal.”
Before games, Hathaway and junior Rachel Ross, a midfielder, do a quick “three-arm-twirl-and-dab” handshake. Hathaway then gives senior Megan Anderson, the right back that plays behind her, a quick shout of “Talk to me!” to remind them of communicating during games, and then it’s off to the races.
“Playing soccer, I found instant family within my teammates,” Hathaway stated.
Just like family, Hathaway pushes herself and teammates to be better every day. For the team, Hathaway’s goal is to “go further in the NCAA tournament,” and sweeping the season series against cross town rival University of Puget Sound.
After games you can catch Hathaway taking “at least five cookies” from midfielder Hailey Smoot’s grandmother when she brings snacks for the athlete’s post-game debrief sessions.
On campus, you will find the PLU forward upstairs in Ramstad Hall as she completes her second year in the School of Nursing. After graduating, she hopes to work within women’s health, but is open to any healthcare career field.
You can catch Hathaway and the fast paced PLU Women’s Soccer team face off against George Fox on Oct. 7 on the East Field.
