Channing Foster will leave a lasting legacy at Ole Miss

A native of Murray, Kentucky, Channing Foster has made a name for herself down in Oxford, Mississippi. The senior is a star for Ole Miss’ women’s soccer team and has loved her time at the school. “Ole Miss has been like a second home to me,” Foster told BGN. “The people here are just so welcoming and there really is no campus more beautiful.”

Simply put, Foster is an all-time great for the Rebels. She is in the top-ten in school history for career goals and has received accolades from the SEC in each of her previous three seasons. Early in her NCAA career, Channing had the chance to play with another Ole Miss legend, the school’s all-time leading goalscorer, CeCe Kizer. “It was such an awesome thing to witness CeCe breaking the record her senior year,” Foster recalled about the current Houston Dash forward. “Playing with her was an incredible experience and taught me a lot, so to even have a chance at the opportunity to put my name in the books with hers is really cool. I’ve been so blessed in my time here, for sure.”

Channing’s performance with Ole Miss earned her a call-up to the USWNT U-23s for the 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational. She scored a match-winner for the team in stoppage time vs. the Chicago Red Stars. She said, “Getting to wear the crest was such an honor. I learned so much and had so much fun getting to play on a field with so many talented players.”

“To ever have an opportunity with the first team would be a literal dream come true, I can’t even put it into words. Since I was a little girl I have dreamt of wearing the red, white, and blue.”

Like it has with everything across the world, COVID-19 impacted the 2020 season for Foster and Ole Miss. “It has been the craziest year,” Channing said. “Not being able to play for such a long time made it so much sweeter to finally get back out on the pitch. I definitely learned not to take anything for granted, and am so thankful to finally be back playing the game I love.”

Ole Miss has compiled a 3-4 record thus far in 2020. One of those wins was a dramatic, comeback 4-3 win over #14 Georgia on Halloween. With the score level heading into the final minutes, Foster was able to score the game-winning goal from a free kick. Next up, the Rebs will close out the regular season at #13 Vanderbilt on Saturday before entering the SEC Tournament. With crucial matches on the horizon, you can expect Foster to play a key role in her final action for Ole Miss this season.

There’s little doubt that Channing’s future post-Ole Miss will include sports in some capacity. “I love soccer and cannot imagine not playing,” she said. “God willing, I definitely want to play at the next level. If it’s up to me, I will play as long as my body allows because there is no greater place than out on the pitch.”

While she added that she simply loves being outside doing any physical activity, including working on her golf game, there is another avenue that Foster could use to make her mark on the sports world. “I also really love investing and am in the financier’s club at school,” she explained. “It is so interesting to me, I have learned so much about the stock market and the economy. I’d love to combine my interests in business and finance with my love for sports and work for some sports corporation or professional organization one day.”

Wherever Foster’s career takes her, two simple words will remind her of her second home. “Hotty Toddy is basically the spirit of this place rolled into a quick greeting,” she said of the Ole Miss mantra. “It just kind of unites everyone. Regardless of their differences, a simple “Hotty Toddy” brings people together because of their common love for the place.”

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.