Former Liberty Forward Signs with Hapoel Petah Tikva F.C.
Greenville, SC (February 20, 2023)- Greenville Liberty alumna Maddie Turlington has become the first Liberty player to sign a professional contract, the club announced today. She makes the move to the professional ranks with Hapoel Petah Tikva Football Club in Israel this season after completing her fifth year at Gardner-Webb.
Turlington initially signed with the Liberty in 2022 for its inaugural season alongside her Gardner-Webb University teammate, Katelyn Kellogg. A forward on the Liberty’s offense, she competed in a total of 10 matches, racking up 420 minutes on the pitch during the season. She attempted nine shots and scored one goal for the club during the Division Championship-clinching match against Asheville City SC.
“We are so excited for Maddie’s opportunity to play abroad,” said Head Coach Julie Carlson. “She really grew as a player in her last summer and collegiate seasons. They are fortunate to have not just a great technician and goal scorer, but a great human being. It’s every footballer’s dream to pursue a playing career abroad or at the next level. It is a wonderful achievement for her to have this life experience for her growth and development.”
Maddie graduated from GWU in 2021 and spent a fifth year with the Bulldogs in 2022. She left behind a stellar soccer legacy, logging 6,260 minutes of playing time in 86 games and scoring 40 goals and 29 assists. She was named the Big South Offensive Player of the Year, the first in Garner-Webb history, in 2021 and ranked among the nation’s top scorers in 2022 with 18 points and five assists.
Maddie joins the Israel club as they come off an impressive 15-5-5 record for the 2021-2022 season. The Hapoel Petah Tikva F.C. is located in the city of Petah Tikva and is a competitor within the Israeli First League and in the Israeli Women’s Cup.