‘It’s my favorite thing to do’: Upper Arlington girls soccer’s Khelashvili learns from Georgia National Team experience
Friday, October 10, 2025
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Upper Arlington senior Sophie Khelashvili is introduced prior to the Golden Bears’ game at Hilliard Darby on Oct. 9. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Sophie Khelashvili hadn’t been to her parents native Georgia in a few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, when she returned to visit her grandparents in 2023, she found a pick-up soccer game in the neighborhood.
It’s nothing out of the ordinary for Khelashvili. She is always looking for an opportunity to play no matter where she is. This time, however, it turned into a whirlwind couple of days.
Somebody from the Georgia National Team happened to be at that pickup game and invited her to train with the team. And that training session turned into another invitation. And just like that, Khelvashvili was playing on the international stage.
“I was about to leave to go back to the US, so I had one more day and I went out to train with the (Georgia National U19) team,” said Khelashvili, now a senior with the Upper Arlington girls soccer team. “And so I trained with them one day and then they liked what they saw, I guess. And then, I was called for the U17 team shortly after.
“I was really excited because not many people know about the country Georgia. So, it’s really amazing to represent my country.”
Khelashvili, a midfielder for the Golden Bears, also plays forward in club and internationally. Originally from Florida, her parents, Levan Khelashvili and Ekaterina Todadze are from Georgia.
Sophie Khelashvili has had the unique experience of playing internationally with the Georgia National team. Photo: Kevin Rouch
“I’m basically just playing soccer whenever I can because it’s my favorite thing to do. There’s nothing that beats soccer,” Khelashvili said. “I think that what I’ve learned (playing with the Georgia National Team) is there’s many players out in the world. The world is just so big, so it’s kind of knowing that everywhere you go, people are working to be the best that they can be.
“So, if I want to play at the next level, I always have to be working … I have to be disciplined.”
Khelashvili has already made her mark on the UA program. Her 22 assists last season is a program record. She finished the end of last season with 40 career assists, flying by previous record-holder Jen Withers (33), who wrapped up her playing career in 1987.
This season, she’s helped the Bears to a 13-1-2 record after a 2-0 non-league win at Hilliard Darby on Oct. 9. UA is the top-ranked team in the state according to MaxPreps.com.
Khelashvili helps lead the team along with classmates Anaya Jones, Elizabeth Poling and Lillian Schilling, who all serve as captains under first-year coach Jared Dombrowski.
“It’s a group that’s kind of bought in and it’s a group that’s been working together, Dombrowski said. “Sophie’s more of the players’ captain. She’s the one that people follow on the field. She does a lot of the little things that we ask. She’s leading by example, not just on the field, but in some of the other details (around the program).”
Sophie Khelashvili is Upper Arlington’s career assists leader, surpassing the mark set by Jen Withers. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The Bears’ 4-0 win at Hilliard Davidson on Oct. 7 secured the program’s 11th league title, winning the OCC-Central Division at 4-0-1. UA played Dublin Coffman to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 30. Khelashvili hit the post three times on set pieces during the game.
“(Missing) doesn’t stop her from trying again,” said Dombrowski, who led New Albany the previous eight seasons, including an appearance at state in 2021. “All the shots were from outside the box. She hits one and hits the post and she’s almost like, ‘I’m going to keep going. I’m going to try. I’m going to score this.’ That’s kind of how she is – (missing a shot) doesn’t deter her.”
The Bears are the top seed in the upcoming district tournament and will host 24th-seeded Westland on Oct. 16. The winner plays 13th-seeded Pickerington Central or 18th-seeded Lancaster for a district championship Oct. 23 at a site to be announced.
UA, which was defeated by Springboro 2-1 in a regional final last season, seeks its first trip to the state tournament since 2008 and second overall.
Khelashvili hopes to continue playing at the next level. But she has her eyes on something else first.
“As a team, I definitely want to see us advance to states,” she said. “I think it’s something we can 100% do. I think as long as we keep working hard and improving, I really believe that we can bring home the hardware, and we can win states. I truly believe it.”
Upper Arlington’s Sophie Khelashvili battles for the ball during the Golden Bears’ 2-0 win at Hilliard Darby Oct. 9. Photo: Kevin Rouch