2025

Rising stars join Liberty ahead of an exciting new season

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Greenville, SC (April 30, 2025) – The Greenville Liberty is excited to announce the addition of a standout group of players for the upcoming season. Representing some of the top high schools and clubs, these athletes bring championship experience, drive, and next-level potential to the squad.

MIDFIELDERS

Payton Nutzman (Greenville, S.C)

A senior at Eastside High School and Mercer University commit, Nutzman was part of the 2024 USL U20G Academy Cup Championship squad and brings an impressive list of accolades, including being named the AAAA State Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year in 2024. She also earned All-State honors in 2024, was selected All-Region from 2022 to 2024, and made 1st Team All-County in 2023 and 2024. Nutzman is a two-time State Champion (2023, 2024) and was recognized with the USA Today Play of the Year in 2024. Outside of high school, she plays for CESA, where she was named to the ECNL All-Southeast First Team in 2023 and Second Team in 2022. She also attended the USYNT ID Center.

Karleigh Cress (Greenville, S.C)

A senior at Mauldin High School and Ashland University (OH) commit, Cress has been a four-year varsity player and three-time team captain. She has earned United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic honors, two All-Region selections, two All-Tournament honors, and All-State recognition. At the club level, she represented CESA ECNL from 2019 through 2023, attended the NTC Regional ID in both 2021 and 2022, and was named to the 2022 ECNL All-Conference First Team. Cress was also part of the 2024 USL U20G Academy Cup Championship squad for the Greenville Liberty.

Laney Keith (Greenville, S.C)

A junior at JL Mann High School, has verbally committed to play at the University of South Carolina. As a freshman, she won a state championship with The Pennington School in Fall 2022 and earned All-Prep and NJ First Team All-Area honors. Since transferring to JL Mann, Keith has continued to shine, earning All-State and All-Region recognition in both 2023 and 2024, while also being named MVP and Best Freshman in 2023. At the club level, she played for CESA ECNL and was part of the 2024 USL U20G Academy Cup Championship squad with the Greenville Liberty.

Georgia-Allen Aaron (Charlotte, N.C)

A senior midfielder at Providence High School, Georgia-Allen Aaron is committed to play at Francis Marion University. In 2024, she was named Conference Player of the Year and earned All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State honors. Aaron served as captain of the varsity team in her senior season.

DEFENDERS

Riley Bradley (Boiling Springs, S.C)

A senior at Greer Middle College Charter High School, Riley Bradley is committed to continue her soccer career at Lee University (TN). She has competed on varsity since 2022 and was named 2A Player of the Year. Bradley was also part of the 2024 USL U20G Liberty Academy Cup Championship team in 2024. Her experience includes attending the 2021 and 2022 NTC Regional ID Centers, participating in the 2022 U15 U.S. Women’s National Team Camp, earning ECNL All-Conference Second Team honors in 2022, and receiving All-Region recognition. In 2023, she was also part of the ODP program.

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Hutchinson and Woods strengthen Liberty’s lineup on both ends of the pitch

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Greenville, SC (April 24, 2025) – The Liberty welcome two key additions to the 2025 roster. Nicole Hutchinson (UNC Greensboro) returns to the club following a strong freshman season, while Camryn Woods (Anderson University) brings experience and creativity to the field. Both players add talent and depth as the Liberty prepare for the new season.

FORWARD

Camryn Woods (Bettendorf, IA)

Woods a talented midfielder from Bettendorf, Iowa joins the roster for the 2025 season. Currently a junior at Anderson University, Woods brings a proven track record of consistency, creativity, and leadership to the Liberty. In the 2024 collegiate season, she started all 18 matches tallying two goals, three assists, and 40 shots while logging over 1,300 minutes. Her past seasons include multiple accolades, such as SAC All-District honors, with standout performances like a nine-goal freshman season. A first team All-state selection, captain, and four-year varsity starter in high school, Woods’ experience and competitive edge will be key assets for the club!

DEFENDER

Nicole Hutchinson (Powdersville, S.C)

A freshman at UNC Greensboro Hutchinson made an immediate impact during the 2024 season, appearing in 19 matches with 12 starts, contributing two assists and recording four shots on goal across 1,327 minutes of play. Before her collegiate debut, Hutchinson was a standout at the youth level– earning honors as a four-time All- Region, three-time All-State, and two-time Region Player of the year. A product of CESA ECNL and former Liberty Academy player, she now returns to the club ready to compete at the next level.

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Liberty alumni Brathwaite, Kirlin, Bishop, and Blye return with elite experience and renewed energy to strengthen the Liberty lineup.

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Greenville, SC (April 17, 2025) – The Greenville Liberty are thrilled to welcome back four familiar faces for the 2025 campaign. Christian Brathwaite, Emma Kirlin, Martha Bishop, and Allanah Blye return to the roster bringing top-tier collegiate experience, leadership, and history on the pitch. With a mix of youth national team selections and all-conference accolades, this group is poised to make waves once again in the USL W League.

MIDFIELDER

Christian Brathwaite (Charlotte, N.C)

A dynamic and versatile midfielder, Brathwaite returns to the Liberty with high-level collegiate and USL W League experience under her belt. In 2024-25, Brathwaite made a mark at Clemson University, appearing in 16 matches with 12 starts. She logged over 1,000 minutes on the pitch, netted three goals, and tallied six points on the season. Prior to her time at Clemson, she made impressions as a freshman at the University of Georgia, playing in 20 matches and scoring her first collegiate goal against The University of Southern Mississippi, while also being ranked No. 70 on Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason Freshman Top 100 list. Off the field, Brathwaite excelled academically earning SEC Academic Honor Roll, Dean’s List, and J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll distinctions. A product of the Charlotte Soccer Academy and Barca Academy, she has competed at the national level with the U-17 team and broke barriers as one of just two young women nationwide to compete in the men’s DA. Brathwaite previously shined for the Liberty in 2022, earning USL W League Young Player of the Year honors after recording four goals and four assists in just 11 matches.

DEFENDER

Martha Bishop (Spartanburg, S.C.)

A notable junior at Samford University, Bishop brings strength and versatility as a two-sport athlete, competing in both women’s soccer and basketball at the collegiate level. Originally from Spartanburg, SC, Bishop had an outstanding high school career at Spartanburg High School, where she was named Scoring MVP, selected All-Region, and set a school record with 32 goals in a single season. At Samford, she’s continued to grow her game, appearing in nine matches during the 2023 college season and 10 more in 2024, adding another 210 minutes to her resume. In 2024, she helped the Samford University soccer team capture the SoCon title with a 1-0 win over Western Carolina. In her first USL W League season with the Liberty in 2023, Bishop made an immediate impact—starting nine of 10 matches and logging 801 minutes. Before her collegiate debut, Bishop played club soccer for CESA ECNL, where she served as captain and earned Mid-Atlantic All-Conference Second Team honors in 2022. She led her team to ECNL Nationals and was also a key defender on the Liberty Academy squad alongside Emma Kirlin. Last season Bishop played for the Florida Elite Soccer Academy in the USL W League.

GOALKEEPERS

Emma Kirlin (Greenville, S.C)

A Greenville native, Kirlin returns after previously appearing for the Liberty in 2023, where she logged a full 90-minute performance. Currently a freshman at the University of South Carolina after transferring from Florida State University, Kirlin brings a strong resume of youth and club accolades. She was named to the January 2023 ECNL National Selection Game Roster, earned U17 ECNL Southeastern Conference First Team honors, and has also been recognized on U16 Mid-Atlantic Second Team and U15 USYS Piedmont Conference Best XI teams. Her talent earned her an invitation to the USWYNT Training ID Center, highlighting her as one of the nation’s top young prospects. A former captain for both her high school and CESA ECNL club teams, Kirlin was also named to the Class AAAA All-State Team in South Carolina.

Allanah Blye (Duncan, S.C)

Now a junior at the University of North Alabama, Blye had an impressive 2024 season, starting all 16 matches and logging 1,364 minutes while making 66 saves. Prior to North Alabama, Blye made her mark at Kennesaw State. As a sophomore in 2023, she started 16 games, recorded seven shutouts—including four in conference play—and tallied 51 saves. Her shutout total tied for seventh most in a single season in KSU history. In her standout freshman campaign, she earned ASUN All-Freshman Team honors, led the conference in saves (87) and saves per game (6.69), and set a program record with 16 saves in a single game. Her .853 save percentage ranked her among the top 25 goalkeepers in the nation. Blye first suited up for the Liberty in 2022, making one appearance and logging 45 minutes. She returned in 2023 to play in seven matches, earning four starts and logging 320 minutes between the posts. Last season Blye played for Athens FC in the USL W League.

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Galie, Drayton and Massie bring skill and experience to the squad

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Greenville, SC (April 3, 2025)– The Greenville Liberty is excited to welcome forwards Julie Galie, Maddie Massie, and Briyah Drayton from Furman University, pending league and federation approval. With a mix of experience, attacking talent, and playmaking ability, the trio strengthens the Liberty roster for the season ahead.

FORWARDS

Julie Galie is a standout junior, who brings a wealth of collegiate experience to the Liberty, having played in 47 matches over three seasons with the Paladins. In 2023, she appeared in 17 matches and delivered a clutch, game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Georgia Southern. As a freshman in 2022, she proved herself as a difference-maker, playing in all 19 matches, notching her first collegiate goal in a dominant 4-0 win over North Greenville, and recording an assist in a shutout victory against VMI.

Briyah Drayton is a soon-to-be graduate student transferring to Furman University from Rollins College in the fall of 2025. In 2024, Drayton had one of her most successful seasons with five goals and seven assists, propelling her to a second All-SSC nomination. Coming off an injury in 2022, Drayton earned All-SSC Third Team honors in 2023. She tallied four goals and two assists in 19 matches, while ranking fourth on her team in minutes played. She also delivered a game-winning brace against Nova Southeastern. The Florida native made a strong impact in 2021, scoring three goals and starting 18 matches as a freshman.

Maddie Massie made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing in all 19 matches with 15 starts, scoring three goals and two assists. She delivered in big moments, including a game-winning goal versus VMI and a key performance in Furman’s SoCon quarterfinal shootout win. A Birmingham, Alabama native, Massie led Homewood High School to two state titles, earning state tournament MVP and first-team all-state honors. She also competed in the ECNL with Alabama FC.

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A strong core returns as Liberty reloads for 2025

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Greenville, SC (March 27^th, 2025) – The Liberty welcome back a strong core for the 2025 season, with key players returning to build on last year’s success. Their experience and leadership will be vital as the team aims for another competitive campaign.

FORWARDS

Lela Stark returns for her second season with the Liberty in 2025. In the 2024 season, she made nine appearances, including six starts, and scoring her first goal in a 2024 win at Asheville City. As a junior at Oral Roberts University, Stark played 16 games in 2024, starting four, and recorded two goals and one assist for a total of five points. She helped the Golden Eagles reach the Summit League championship match for the second time in three years, where they fell 3-1 to No. 3 South Dakota State.

Valerie Hernandez returns for her second season with the Liberty. As a junior at North Greenville, she played in all 17 games of the 2024 season, starting every match. She recorded two goals and four points while logging 1,137 minutes. She was a member of the U20 Girls Academy team in 2023. And played her club career with CESA.

Jaleah Simmons returns for her second season with the Liberty after playing 11 games, starting seven, and recording two goals and one assist while totaling 632 minutes. A rising sophomore at Furman, she appeared in 19 games as a freshman, starting four and logging 477 minutes. She was a 3-year member of the U20 Girls Liberty Academy team. And played her club career with CESA.

MIDFIELDERS

Carly Wilson returning for her second season with the Liberty, Wilson led the Liberty in minutes during the 2024 season, playing 990 total minutes and featuring in every match until being subbed out in the final game against Chattanooga. A junior at Wake Forest she appeared in 12 matches for the Deacs, starting two, and helped the team to an 8-1-3 record in games she played, Wilson logged 462 minutes. Her fall season with the Deacs was historic, as they reached the 2024 NCAA National Championship for the first time, marking just the program’s second College Cup appearance alongside the 2011 squad. 

Kylie Cino returns for her second season with the Liberty after playing 60 minutes in the 2024 season. A Freshman at the University of South Carolina, she appeared in 20 games during the 2024 collegiate season, totaling 545 minutes. Cino played her club career locally here with CESA.

Morgan DeBarros returns for her second season with the Liberty after playing five games, starting one, and totaling 78 minutes. As a junior at USC Upstate, she appeared in 19 matches, starting five, and recorded three points with one goal and one assist. DeBarros scored her first career goal against VMI and registered a career-high four shot attempts in the same match. She finished the season with 630 minutes and earned points in two matches.

DEFENDERS

Alexah Fite is returning for her fourth season with the Liberty. Fite is the only active player who has competed in all four seasons since Liberty’s inaugural 2022 campaign. Fite saw her role grow each season, reaching 12 appearances with 11 starts in 2024. She was also one of two players to log over 900 minutes. A senior at Catawba College, she started all 19 games in 2024, tallying two goals and two assists. In 2024, the Indians reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 for the third straight year, part of an exclusive streak shared by just eight teams. They also became the first SAC program to reach 400 all-time wins. Fite was named to the USC All Region First team. First Team All-Region defender also earned D2CCA honors. She anchored the SAC’s top defense while contributing two goals and two assists, including a goal in Catawba’s 3-0 NCAA First Round win over Flagler.

Elle Bissinger returns for her second season with the Liberty after starting all 11 games she played, totaling 883 minutes. She has been a member of the U20 Girls Liberty Academy team the last 2 years and was named to the 2024 All Academy Cup team. Bissinger played for CESA, where she made the ECNL Girls Southeast All-Conference U-17 Second Team in 2023. She was also named to the ECNL Girls Mid-Atlantic All Conference First Team in both 2021 and 2022. She is currently enrolled to play collegiate soccer at Clemson University this fall of 2025.

Lauren Monday returns for her second season with the Liberty after starting all nine games she played in, totaling 783 minutes. A rising junior at Anderson University, she appeared in 15 games in 2024, starting 14 and logging 1,280 minutes. She was a member of the 2023 U20 Girls Academy team and played her club career with Clemson Anderson Soccer Alliance.

GOALKEEPERS

Kenzie Solomon returns for her second season with the Liberty after playing 11 games, making eight starts, and totaling 575 minutes in goal last year. A sophomore at the University of Georgia, Solomon contributed to a combined shutout and later entered for a penalty shootout against Clemson in the NCAA Tournament in the 2023 season. In the fall of 2025, she will continuing her collegiate playing career at Rice University of Houston, TX.

Henley Grunst returns for her second season with the Liberty after playing eight games, starting four, and logging 405 minutes in 2024. A junior at Flagler University, she started 16 matches in her sophomore season, recording 84 saves, two shutouts, and a 78.5% save percentage. Flagler (8-3-6), the Peach Belt Tournament runners-up, secured the No. 5 seed in their seventh straight NCAA Tournament, but fell 3-0 to Catawba in the first round. The goalkeeper also competed with CESA, helping lead them to the national tournament, while spending two seasons with the U20 Girls Liberty Academy team.

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