From Mississippi to Australia: Madison Central graduate’s emotional journey to joining professional soccer team

RIDGELAND, Miss. (WLBT) – Ever since Cariel Ellis was 7 years old, she had a soccer ball at her feet and now her lifelong dream of being a professional player is coming true.

“I always prayed and hoped that I would go pro,” Cariel Ellis said. “My parents and all the coaches I had growing up from club always believed in me so I had to continue to believe in myself.”

Ellis might be overseas playing soccer for Melbourne City Football Club in Australia but her journey started right here in Mississippi at Madison Central.

“I enjoyed every single moment of it and I just learned a lot on and off the field,” Ellis said describing her time at Madison Central. “Especially perseverance, to keep going and keep pushing and just prepare myself for the next level.”

The next level for Ellis out of high school was right around the corner at Holmes Community College.

“The girls were sweet, nice, and kind,” Ellis said while talking about her visit to Holmes. “That drew me in but I could also tell that the coaches were really genuine. There really was no place like Holmes.”

Ellis played for Westley Noble while at Holmes and he saw so much potential in her.

“She came here and she worked extremely hard and she was unbelievable for us,” Noble said. “You could see from day one that she really wanted what she’s getting now and it’s a byproduct of the work she’s put into it.”

After her two years at Holmes Community College, finding a new school to call home wasn’t the easiest. There were many upsets, downs, and bumps in the road but none of it pushed her away from the game. Ellis moved out of Mississippi and found her home away from home at Lamar, and they helped her speak her dreams into reality.”

“It was just all around a great culture and a great environment,” Ellis said. “They definitely prepared me for the next level because they always said Cariel you’re going to go pro you’re gonna go pro.”

Now that she’s reached the professional level, Coach Noble has retired her Holmes jersey just to show how proud he is of her and her hard work.

“We wanted to show her how much she meant to us and give her the thanks that she always gives to us,” Noble said. “It’s a gesture from us to show her that we’re proud of her and will forever be proud of her”

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