Carly Thatcher, left, and Caroline Conti are the Greenville Triumph’s first W League signings. | File
Carly Thatcher, left, and Caroline Conti are the Greenville Triumph’s first W League signings. | File
Two players with strong South Carolina women's soccer roots recently became the Greenville Triumph’s first W League signings.
Caroline Conti and Carly Thatcher were inked to the Triumph's inaugural women's roster, according to a team press release.
Both players starred for club level and high school soccer teams in the Upstate, and are considered cornerstones of the Triumph’s W League team.
Playing the forward position, Conti comes to her hometown pro club from Clemson, where she is currently a junior.
She recorded 66 starts and 69 match appearances for a total of 4,472 minutes of action.
In the 2021 season, Conti racked up six goals and six assists while shooting at 50%, as well as earned Offensive ACC Player of the Week and United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week twice, the release said.
W League club head coach Julie Carlson described Conti’s signing as “a positive impact on the start of our team.”
“She brings many characteristics with her,” Carlson said in the release. “Not only is she a talented player both in skill level and field dynamics, but she’s also very hard working, has great leadership presence and a huge passion for the game.”
Before attending Clemson, Conti captained two consecutive state championship teams at J.L. Mann High School and was elected the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year twice.
“I’m so excited to get the chance to be a part of the new USL W-League team here in Greenville,” Conti said in the release. “I can’t wait to get the chance to play with all of the amazing other girls and make memories of a lifetime.”
Hailing from Greer, Thatcher is a freshman at Auburn, where she made an immediate impact on the school’s women’s soccer team.
According to the release, Thatcher recorded 20 appearances, 17 starts, and 446 minutes last season.
An SEC Freshman of the Week honoree, she chipped in three goals and two assists.
She became the second freshman in Auburn history to record a hat-trick, the release said.
Carlson touted Thatcher as “a crafty, off the dribble threat.”
“She is also a very hardworking player with lots of energy,” the coach said in the release. “She has great tenacity to connect with players around her.”
Like Conti, Thatcher expressed excitement about playing for her hometown club.
The Triumph W League team will commence play this summer.
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