Prep girls soccer: Palmer seniors earn chance to play college soccer

PALMER — One player used a popular athletic recruiting Web site to attract the attention of college programs, while another is choosing the same path as her older brother.

While the method is different, the result is the same.

Palmer seniors Jessica Wyckoff and Chelsea Beetch have eared the chance to play soccer at the college level.

“It’s good to see they’re eager and willing to give it a chance,” Palmer head coach Brian Fish said. “They’re both tremendous players with heart, and want to compete at that next level.”

With Wyckoff helping to lead the attack on the offensive end and Beetch standing in net, the seniors are two of the reasons Palmer has advanced to the state tournament in each of the last three seasons.

Wyckoff attracted the attention of several colleges with a profile on the Web site berecruited.com., and has been signed by Ottawa University, an NAIA program in Ottawa, Kan.

Wyckoff also considered Laramie Community College in Laramie, Wyo., but ultimately settled on the team that competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference because of Ottawa’s athletics, academics and atmosphere.

“I kind of like the feel of it,” Wyckoff said. “It’s a small town.”

The Palmer senior should also have the opportunity to compete for playing time at forward right away.

“Jessica is a player that can come in and give us a valuable option in much needed areas,” Ottawa head coach Craig Shaw said in a press release issued by the OU athletic department. “Her attributes are going to help us immediately either up front or outside midfield.”

After transferring from Foothills High School in Henderson, Nev., following her freshman season, Wyckoff has been a three-year member of the Palmer varsity lineup.

As a junior, Wyckoff was an All-Northern Lights Conference selection.

Like her older brother Ben, Beetch has chosen to play at Coker College, a Division II school in Hartsville, S.C.

Beetch said she is not exactly following in her brother’s footsteps, but is excited to attend the same school as Ben, a sophomore defenseman.

“I like to think the choice is made by where I want to play and where I feel comfortable,” Beetch said. “But I have to say it’s going to be really nice to have him down there. He’s my biggest supporter, and he’s probably hardest on me, besides myself. It’s going to be great to be able to watch him play, and have him be able to critique me.”

Beetch — who also considered Colgate and Utica College in New York and, Belmont Abbey in North Carolina — said she has the opportunity to visit her brother and Coker College in October during a trip in which she was able to see a handful of schools.

Beetch said she has not discussed potential playing time with her new coaches, but there is potential to land the starting spot in the Coker net early in her career.

“When I went down there they were looking for a good keeper ready to play in a starting position,” Beetch said.

Contact Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.