When the opportunity to extend her soccer career presented itself, Bethany Porter didn’t think twice. Now two years later, Porter will hang up her cleats a champion.

As part of the first class of Motlow soccer players, Porter helped the program claim the TCCAA Region VII tournament championship. She started 14 games over her career, scoring twice and dishing out four assists while playing all over the field.

“This is my last year playing soccer. It’s going to be weird next year because I’ve been playing since I was 4,” said Porter, who plans to attend MTSU next year and continue on the path to a mass communication degree.

Porter and her team recently made a trip to Belize, where the group took on two national teams. It was a great way to cap the season, which was a major success in just the second year of soccer at Motlow.

“Some of my favorite memories are, of course, winning the championship and traveling to Belize,” said Porter. “Getting to know the girls through all the trips we’ve taken has also been one of my favorite parts of playing. I’ve met some of my best friends through soccer.”

After starting 11 games as a freshman on defense, Porter played more of a support role on the right wing as a sophomore. Her contributions helped the team finish 12-5-2, including a 3-2 victory over Southwest in the TNCCA championship game.

Andy Lyon, who took over as the program’s first coach in September 2016, was happy to have Porter the last two seasons.

“Bethany has been phenomenal for our program. She’s an extremely hard worker and very coachable,” said Lyon, who was named TNCAA coach of the year following the championship season. “Bethany has been very a great representative of Motlow in the classroom, in the community and on the field. Bethany is a brilliant teammate and always supportive of others - she will always be remembered as part of a great group that made history with the program.”

The title was the ultimate payoff for Porter, who knows how hard the program had to work to establish itself in just two short years.

“Winning the championship was really special because this is our second year,” said Porter. “A lot of people did not believe in us at first. Winning just proved that working really hard pays off. We improved so much in a year.”

She leaves with new best friends, lasting memories and a centerpiece to her jewelry collection – a championship ring.