Karly Hellstrom leaves Thursday for Ohio, the fall semester signalling her fourth and final year with the Kent State Golden Flashes women's soccer team.

Though there is something to be said for the experience of seasons past, the 22 year old graduate of Lasalle Secondary School is not allowing herself to feel overly comfortable - for very good reason.

"Team-wise, we have a lot of incoming freshmen, which is exciting, but also nerve-wracking for the upper classmen, when you have 15 freshmen coming in," said the Exercise Science major, in attendance at the Impact U16 girls game on the weekend, lending a helping hand to the coaching staff.

"We're looking to aim towards that MAC (Mid-American Conference) championship again."

With injuries and Covid both taking a toll, Kent State missed the playoffs by one spot last fall. And while she has played all over the pitch, throughout her career, Hellstrom is optimistic that the stars are aligned for 2021-2022.

"My first two games, I played fullback, then winger, then wingback, then this past year, I actually played as a centre striker," noted the younger of two girls in the family, with older sister of Jenna currently playing professionally in Sweden.

"I honestly think this is the best that I've felt going into a pre-season in all of my years at Kent State."

Beyond this year, Hellstrom has left the door open, both academically and athletically. She is giving serious considering to returning to Canada to pursue either physiotherapy or medicine, and given that she still has two years of eligibility remaining, it is possible that this is not the last we will see of her at a post-secondary level.

"And I have not completely closed the door on professional soccer, but it's a decision that I'll make when the time comes."