Kelsey Wys last line of defense

from Sun-sentinel

There is one moment that sticks out for Stu Katz when he thinks about his single season coaching Kelsey Wys.

It was early in the year and Douglas played a game at West Boca. The Eagles didn't play well, but held on for a shutout.

As the players walked off the field, Katz went up to Wys and, when they made eye contact, shared a moment that lingered with both player and coach.

At the time they agreed the team had enough talent to make a run to the FHSAA Finals, because they preserved a tie against a good team, on the road, in a poorly played game.

With Wys as the last line of defense, the Eagles played with more confidence and took more chances.

"She wants to win," Katz said. "She wants to succeed, but she wants to do it within the team element, which makes her such a great team captain and such a great leader. On a team that I felt was one of the most balanced and the most working-class team I've ever been around, she certainly was our biggest player."

Wys set the Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports record with 22 shutouts and tied the state record. Her performance was enough to make her the Sun Sentinel Class 6A-5A Player of the Year.

"I've had a lot of help along the way, and I'm just really grateful for the people I've gotten to meet and the people who have helped me over the years," Wys said.

Next year, Wys will play for Florida State.

Katz is confident it won't take her long to make an impact at the next level.

"She has the physical tools," Katz said. "She has great hands, some of the best I've ever seen for any goalkeeper, male or female. She's strong. She's got good range."

She is also a competitor, one of the toughest players Katz has been around, and it is that fire that truly sets her apart.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Wys said. "It's going to be something new. The level is always going to be higher. I'm going to have to be at my best."