Freshman Bailey brings speed and discipline to Keene State defense

KEENE, N.H. 10/28/10 – The Owls appeared to be in trouble. Taking the ball deep into the Keene State side of the field on a counter attack, an opposition striker from Western Conn. State was poised to take a quality shot that might decide the outcome of the scoreless game. 

But quicker than you can say Kelsie Bailey, the freshman defender from Barre, Vt., was able to track the striker down and force a harmless shot that sailed to the right of the net.

“You can’t teach speed,” said Keene State women’s soccer coach Denise Lyons. “If any player breaks through, Kelsie can get back and catch her.”

One of two freshmen to earn a spot in Keene State’s starting line-up, Bailey has utilized her speed and discipline to be a major contributor on the Owls’ backline this season. While her gazelle-like moves may be God-given, her discipline comes from a different source. 

When she wasn’t busy playing soccer and basketball growing up, Bailey, along with her younger brother Harrison, was in the studio learning karate. “My parents got me interested and I wanted to try a different sport,” said Bailey, who earned her black belt at the tender age of 12. “I liked the discipline and knowing that I could defend myself.”

Bailey said the alternative wasn’t fun. “If you didn’t pay attention and follow directions in class, the instructor made you do push-ups,” she said.

In addition to karate, soccer became Bailey’s sport of choice. Starting in seventh grade, she played premiere soccer on the Capitol club in Montpelier, and added track to her repertoire at Spaulding High School.  

Bailey was a standout for both her Crimson Tide teams. Her sophomore soccer team went undefeated during the regular season and advanced to the semifinal round of the play-offs. Moved back to sweeper as a junior, Bailey earned All-State honors as a senior and was selected to play in the Twin-State game.

A sprinter in track, Bailey raced to first-place finishes in the 300 as a sophomore and junior at the state indoor championships. During the outdoor season, she won a state title in the 200 as a sophomore and had a very productive day on the track as a junior, winning the 400, taking second in the 200, and finishing third as a member of the 4x100 relay team.

A strong recommendation from Amy St. John, a former Spaulding High standout who played four years for the Owls, landed Bailey at Keene State. “Keene is a lot like my hometown and I really liked the coaches and players when I went on a visit,” she said.

Bailey said she was surprised to earn a starting spot on a talented Keene State team that captured the ECAC New England championship last year. While her karate skills might be a bit rusty, Bailey is running on all cylinders in the Owls’ backfield. 

“I enjoy using my speed,” said Bailey. “It’s a confidence booster knowing I can catch someone."

Having Bailey in her backfield is also a confidence booster for Lyons. “Kelsie has the ability to run shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the fastest players in our conference," said Lyons. “She’s a 90-minute player who can run all day.”

Keene State (12-5-2) will be the third seed in the Little East Conference tournament that begins on Tuesday. Bailey, a biology major with a minor in psychology, likes the Owls’ chances. “We’re excited about the tournament," said Bailey, who has also chipped in offensively with two goals and an assist. “I think we can win the championship, even if we have to beat some teams on the road.”

As far as the tournament is concerned, Bailey might be a freshman, but she doesn’t have to worry about getting up to speed.