By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team will add to a developing presence on the international stage behind the latest former Golden Eagle to sign a professional contract overseas.
Tina Marolt, a two-time all-conference honoree that suited up for the purple and gold for the last three seasons, has agreed to terms with the club Orobica Bergamo of the Serie A Italian League. Marolt's signing marks the second consecutive year in which a former Golden Eagle has crossed the t's and dotted the I's on a professional contract after Kari Naerdmann, the program's all-time leader in career victories between the pipes, signed on with German associated soccer club, SV Meppen, last June.
"I was very excited to sign this contract, especially because I knew the kind of league that I would be playing in," Marolt said after signing her professional contract just before Christmas. "The competition is strong and includes teams that I used to watch on TV, such as Juventus and AC Milan, so it's definitely exciting. It will be a good challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it."
Marolt recently wrapped up a stellar three-year Tech tenure, capped off with a 2019 campaign that featured an All-OVC first-team accolade for the 5-foot-2 midfielder. Marolt's team-leading six assists during the regular season were good enough for third most in the conference after bouncing back from an injury-shortened 2018 season that kept Marolt sidelined for all but five matches.
After transferring from Louisville before the start of the 2017 campaign, Marolt made her presence felt immediately behind a spot on the All-OVC newcomer team in her first season as a Golden Eagle. The Smatevz, Slovenia native started in all 17 matches for TTU, serving as a key component for a Tech club that finished 6-1-3 during league play and ultimately made it to the OVC Tournament semifinals.
Marolt wrapped up her time as a Golden Eagle tied for sixth on the program's career assist list with 11 in just over two seasons in purple and gold.
Located in the alpine Lombardy region of Northern Italy, the city of Bergamo is about 25 miles northeast of Milan. The club gets set for its first match of the new year with a contest against Fiorentina on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
