By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With Signing Day around the corner, the Tennessee Tech soccer team has already gotten a jump start on bolstering its 2017 roster thanks to the addition of two transfers. The Golden Eagles and head coach Steve Springthorpe bring aboard Louisville transfer Tina Marolt and Lipscomb transfer Maycie McKay, a pair of incoming juniors that bring stout resumes into their Tech tenures.
"We are excited to be able to add these two transfers to our program this spring, both Tina and Maycie are players with a high level of experience that will help our team continue in a path of competing for an OVC championship," TTU head coach Steve Springthorpe said on the latest additions. "Not only do they bring a high level of soccer ability to our team, but they are also both excellent students and high character people. They will fit in well with our team and we look forward to having them compete with us immediately and for the next two seasons."
McKay is set to throw on a different shade of purple and gold after spending the last two seasons with Lipscomb, serving as a key piece in a Lady Bisons puzzle that went a combined 24-9-6 overall and 11-2-1 in the Atlantic Sun. In her two years, McKay combined for 10 goals, 10 assists and 30 points, while securing more than her fair share of postseason hardware.
After setting a Lipscomb freshman record with eight goals in 2015, the Brentwood, Tenn. native was named the A-Sun Freshman of the Year and reserved a spot on the All-Conference first team. As a sophomore, McKay's team-leading seven assists put the 5-foot-6 forward in third in the A-Sun, paving the way to an All-Conference second team selection.
"Maycie comes to us after playing with a great up and coming program that has competed for conference championships the last few years," Springthorpe said. "In her two years playing college soccer, Maycie has attained a great level of success that helped her team excel and has allowed her to be recognized for her accomplishments. We are thrilled to be able to add a player like Maycie to our team and we are confident that she will continue to help us move to a championship level of play. Maycie's ability to create goals and goal scoring opportunities will only help us get better."
Marolt enters her Tech tenure after a robust resume that features a two-year run at Louisville as well as a standout career in the international ranks before joining the Cardinals. The Smatevz, Slovenia native was a member of both the U17 and U19 Slovenian national teams, serving as team captain for both squads. Marolt also spent nearly a decade in the Slovenian club ranks, suiting up for WFC Rudar Skale Club since 2008 where she helped guide the U17 team to a second place finish in the Slovenian Cup.
While at Louisville, Marolt appeared in 25 matches in two years, collecting a goal and 10 shots throughout her stint in the ACC. Off the pitch, she was also named to the ACC Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
"Tina brings a wealth of international experience to our program as well as collegiate playing experience from a respected ACC institution," Springthorpe said. "She has a high soccer IQ and plays the game with a style that suits how we play, especially in the midfield in a possession oriented system. She is a superior player in regards to her tactical and technical skills and I know Tina will fit right in with the rest of the midfielders on our team. We are excited to have her join the program."
The Golden Eagles are coming off a historical 2016 season that saw the club register an 11-6-4 record, the most wins since 2002, while also tying the 2004 and 2002 squads for fewest losses in a season. Tech set a program record with 11 shutouts, and the club's 13 goals allowed were the fewest surrendered in a single season in school history.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb & Louisville sports information.
