When Calli Edwards stepped onto the pitch as a freshman for Mother McAuley in 2023, she had a bold vision: 100 career goals. After netting 25 that first season, the number seemed within reach—but the path to triple digits was anything but straight.
"When you're in the 30s and 40s, 100 is a big number," Edwards recalls. "There were definitely moments where I thought, 'Maybe I set too big of a goal for myself.'" But the senior forward never let doubt linger long. "Other times, I knew I had it."
On Sunday, Edwards made history, scoring her landmark 100th goal. By Wednesday night, she had stretched her school-record total to 106, adding two more goals and an assist to lead the Mighty Macs to a 6-1 GCAC Red victory over De La Salle in Chicago. It was a performance that showcased not just her scoring touch, but her leadership—something that has defined her four-year journey.
"Honestly, when I hit that number, I was in disbelief," Edwards said. "It was a goal I set my freshman year. I finally accomplished something I dreamed about so long ago. I was speechless."
That's rare for Edwards, who has become the voice of the Mighty Macs, consistently pushing her teammates to elevate their game. Her recent run has been electric: eight goals in three games over a four-day stretch, including a hat trick Sunday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Deerfield that pushed her past 100.
Teammate Abby Covarrubias, who scored twice in Wednesday's win, summed it up best: "All her hard work and dedication has shown on the field. She's very encouraging and uplifting. With her personality, you just want to be really good friends with her."
Mother McAuley coach Megan McCauley has watched Edwards' journey unfold with pride. "It's beyond words," she said. "I'm so proud of her. It's been an awesome four years watching her grow."
With Edwards leading the charge, the Mighty Macs (10-7-2, 2-3-2) continue to build momentum. Angy Marquez and Juliette Hall each added goals in Wednesday's win, while Illinois Wesleyan recruit Lucy Gray made three saves. For Edwards, the milestone is just another step in a career defined by determination—and a reminder that even the biggest goals start with a single shot.