The collegiate soccer career of Jessi Harmon began Aug. 17 when the Seminole Tribal member made her debut for Virginia Military Institute, about 2,000 miles from her hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Harmon, a 5-foot-6 freshman defender/midfielder, had one shot and played 12 minutes in a 2-0 win at Hampton University. It was the beginning of a strong start to the season for VMI, which went 6-0-1 before suffering its first loss Sept. 21 against North Carolina-Greensboro. VMI’s season is shaping up to be better than a year ago. Its six wins are nearly as many as the team had for all of 2017 when it went 7-11-1.

As of late September, Harmon had played in five games and recorded two shots. In addition to the Hampton game, she has seen action against South Carolina State, American, North Carolina-Asheville and Campbell.

Harmon is one of 10 freshmen on the roster. Her older brother Levi played for the VMI men’s soccer team before graduating earlier this year.

VMI plays in the Southern Conference with Chattanooga, The Citadel, Eastern Tennessee, Furman, Mercer, North Carolina-Greensboro, Samford, Western Carolina and Wofford.