COVINGTON, Ga. — Kaliya Eutsey has been a standout player for the Alcovy Tigers girls’ soccer team ever since her freshman season. And all of her hard work came to fruition Friday as she signed a scholarship offer to advance her soccer career at Eckerd College. 

The ceremony began with Eutsey thanking her friends, family and coaches for all that they had done to get her where she is today. Eutsey gave a special thanks to her mother, Denice Brown and father, Anthony Brown, for the sacrifices they had made to help get her to this opportunity.

“We’re just really, really, really proud,” said Anthony Brown. “I have a T-shirt that says ‘Everybody has their favorite player,’ I got to raise my favorite player.”

“There’s just a relief to have finally made it — that she found a school she’s happy with and can grow and have the academics she is looking for,” said Denice Brown. 

Eutsey had an impressive junior season in 2018, and her impressive goal total was a highlight of the year.

According to Alcovy associate athletic director Chris Edgar, Eutsey scored 29 goals last season and she hopes to bring that same vigorous attacking prowess to Eckerd (St. Petersburg, Florida)  next season. 

“I’m really diverse so hopefully wherever the coach needs me, I can play, so either up top, middle, defense even goal, if she needs me to,” said Eutsey. “I just hope to bring a new style of play.”

Eutsey’s current and past coaches all had high praise for her skill. Each coach had different ways to describe Eutsey’s ability, and some of the phrases they used to describe her were “aggressive, having a great touch” and a “dynamic player.”

Former Alcovy girls soccer head coach, Chris Ubriaco, was most impressed with her quick style of play and outstanding speed.

“She’s one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen, on the ball and off the ball, and when she gets it in her head that ‘I can score,’ nobody can stop her,” said Ubriaco. “When she’s on, she’s on, and there’s nobody better.”

Eutsey will be one to watch as she advances on to the collegiate level, and she is mixed with nerves and excitement as she prepares to move from home to St. Petersburg, Florida after her senior year at Alcovy.

“I’m a little bit nervous and a little bit scared, but I do have family in Miami so that’s only a three-hour drive,” she said. “I’m just looking forward to the new friendships I will make.”