Skowhegan High School standout junior center midfielder-forward Maliea Kelso has verbally committed to attend Northeastern University on an athletic scholarship beginning in 2019.
Kelso was one of three players in the state to earn All-Region honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association last fall after scoring 20 goals to lead Skowhegan to its second straight Class A state championship. She scored goals in all four playoff victories.
She was selected to play in the Junior Olympic Games at Beverly Hills, Michigan, this summer.
Kelso said she decided on to Northeastern, “because everybody really cared for each other. They were supportive toward each other. There was always encouragement within the coaching staff. There was an ‘it’ feeling for me.
“It’s also a real good academic school. I want to go into psychology and they have a real good psychology program,” added Kelso. “If you’re going to spend the next five years of your life after high school somewhere, you want to make sure you go someplace where you feel you belong.”
Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty said she was thrilled with Kelso’s decision and pointed out that she is the fourth Skowhegan player to play for the Huskies. She will be the 33rd player from Skowhegan to play Division I field hockey.
“It’s a great fit for her,” said Doughty. “Northeastern has terrific programs in a number of areas. They have a trimester system which allows their students to get work experience before they graduate.”
Doughty said the talented Kelso has, “worked her butt off to get where she is” and will be a valuable addition to the Northeastern program.
“There isn’t a downside to Malia,” said Doughty. “She’s fast, she can play good offense, she can play good defense. And she can play any position … And that’s what colleges are looking for. They want kids who can play anywhere and she fits that bill.”
Kelso is committed to field hockey.
“To play at that level, it’s a job. You do it every day, year-round. Not all kids want to do that. You have to be totally devoted to it and she is. It’s her life,” said Doughty.
The 16-year-old Kelso plays for the Waterville-based Majestix club program and in the Futures program. She has been to three Junior Olympic camps.
Her participation at Northeastern is contingent upon her being accepted into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.