CALEDONIA — Two of Caledonia's best defenders are partnering to Senatobia next fall after signing offers to play at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Annalize Chance and Karian Reed both signed letters of intent to join the Rangers women's soccer program under head coach James Beatty, joining a defense that posted 21 shutouts last season and earned All-America Junior College Athletic. He participated in the association's national championship.
“I've been to ID camps a few times and I really like the coaches and the style of play there,” Chance said. “He's one of my favorite things about this program. The locations are also really nice.”
Beatty's teams won at least 20 games in each of the past two years and reached the NJCAA Division II championship last season, but lost to Johnson County Community College.
The staff certainly made a good impression on Chance and Reed, with a highly complete program this year that sent five players to the four-year program.
“I would say the coach made a big impression on me,” Reed said. “When I went there, the environment was very open and welcoming. Overall I liked the area and wanted to be there.”
Although the quality of playing and coaching at Northwestern University was a big selling point, both players seemed particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of continuing their playing careers and education together.
“I wouldn't have been 100% sure if Annalize hadn't been involved,” Reed said.
The two have played together for years at school and on local club teams, making the decision much easier for both players to transfer.
“We went to every camp there together,” Chance said. “We've been playing since we were about 8 years old and on club teams, so knowing we had friends who were on the team with us made it easier.”
Cavaliers head coach Louie Alexander praised both players for being important parts of the team's defensive foundation.
“It’s always great when any of our players go up to the next level, but this time it feels special because I think about what they meant to me as teammates and of course as staff and coaches. “It feels special,” he said.
Alexander coached both junior varsity teams in his first stint at Caledonia, and since his return, Chance and Reed have become key players to the varsity set-up. He believes their accomplishments are a testament to their qualities as players and leaders, and he hopes the team will follow their example.
“It's no surprise or coincidence that we both wore the captain's armband this year,” Alexander said. “This gives young players a blueprint on how to behave, what to do, and more importantly, what it takes to get an offer to play at the next level. I'll give it to you.”
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our work. In the past week, our reporter has posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. To support local journalism and community, please consider subscribing to our her website for just $2.30 per week.