Long after shots are fired on goal and games are determined on the field, Parkland Soccer Club U18 goalkeeper Kelsey Wys immediately begins playing a second match – in her mind.

Down to the minute details, she plays back the most recent game’s events and considers what she may have done differently, how she could have prevented a goal or better placed a punt.

“Especially when my team loses, I think about it for a long time after,” said Wys. “No one likes to lose. I take every loss hard and always blame myself being the last line of defense. There have been a lot of losses I’ve thought about for days.”

The most recent double feature playing out in Wys’ head is the Florida State Cup, where  her Parkland team was eliminated on the second day in penalty kicks. The day before, Wys made five saves during the penalty session to help her team prevail, but that was little consolation for a player with her competitive spirit.

Her drive helped her lead her Douglas High School team to the state final while being named the South Florida Sun Sentinel Class 6A-5A Player of the Year. Wys enjoyed a dominant season in which she set the Broward County record with 22 shutouts.

“She has an inner strength and determination,” said Parkland SC U18 coach Steve Lorenc. “She likes to be challenged and to step up, and she has all the physical tools to dominate. She gets her hands on shots that make you wonder how she did it.”

Wys’ highlight reel ability was on full display two weeks ago at the US U20 Women’s National Team camp in Carson, California, where she played with Amber Brooks, Maya Hayes, Jenna Richmond, Kim Castleberry, Courtney Verloo and Crystal Dunn.

Facing an Irvine Strikers boys team that was dictating all the action, Wys saw shot after shot head her way during a frantic half that left just about every onlooker wondering aloud: “Who’s the goalie?”

“That was one of the more fun scrimmages I’ve ever played in,” Wys said. “Usually at national camps everything is really organized, but I got a chance to make a lot of plays.”

Wys stands 5-foot-10 and commands the box with great hands and a strong presence. At first glance it’s her athletic ability that stands out and it’s no surprise that she is also a standout in flag football.

Her next challenge will be breaking into the goalkeeper rotation at Florida State next season where the Seminoles already have talented netminders Kimmy Diaz and Erin McNulty.

Wys is looking forward to the competition.

“I’m very excited to be competing for a spot and trying to step in there,” Wys said. “I look forward to being able to challenge myself and if I don’t get the starting job I’ll just get mad and it’ll make me a better player and person.”