MOBILE, Ala. – Three former University of South Alabama soccer standouts have signed professional contracts and will continue their playing careers in Europe.
Rio and
Steffi Hardy, from Workington, England, will play for Grindavík, a club located just outside Reykjavik in Iceland's Pepsi League. They will depart Sunday after participating in South Alabama's graduation ceremony.
Tiina Trutsi, a Tallinn, Estonia native, has signed with Barcelona Football Academy in Limassol, Cyprus.
Rio finished second in school history in both career points (103) and goals (43), and is the school's all-time leader in game-winning goals (13).
The three-time first-team all-conference honoree and 2017 Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year scored a team-high 16 goals and 37 points this season and had six game-winning goals, to lead the league in all three categories. Her goals total is tied for third in school history and her points total is tied for sixth.
She was named to the Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring four goals – including a brace in the final – with two assists, to lead the Jaguars to their fifth straight tournament title.
"I can't wait to get started; all of our hard work has paid off," Rio said. "I'd like to thank everyone at South Alabama for everything they have done for me over the last four years, especially Coach (Richard) Moodie, Mark (Foster), Rob (Ward) and Kerry (Edwards) for making my senior year the best of my career."
Steffi also earned First Team all-Sun Belt honors three times and was the 2015 Sun Belt Defender of the Year.
She recorded 14 goals, 30 points and four game-winning goals in her four years, including career-high totals of six goals and 14 points in 2015.
The Jaguars posted 41 clean sheets from 2014-17, the most by any Sun Belt school in that span.
"I'm excited to make the step up from college to pro; it's been my dream for as long as I can remember," Steffi said. "I've loved my time at South Alabama and made some brilliant friends and memories, and I want to thank everyone for their help during my career here."
Grindavík finished seventh in the Úrvalsdeild kvenna in 2017 after getting promoted from 1. deild kvenna the year before. The new season opens May 3.
Trutsi set new career highs in goals (4), assists (4) and points (12) in her senior season, and started 19 of 21 contests. She went 3 for 3 from the penalty spot in 2017, and scored a goal in three straight games, sharing the team's longest streak of the year.
Last season, Barcelona FA went 17-0-1, outscored the opposition by a combined 142-5, and won the league with 52 points.
The league title enables Barcelona FA to compete in the UEFA Women's Champions League, starting in August. Trutsi will join the team June 1 before the preseason commences on June 25.
"I am very excited for this new chapter ahead of me," Trutsi said. "Ever since I started playing soccer, one of my biggest dreams has been to be a professional female soccer player. I have been working so hard all these years on and off the field to get to this step and I am very happy that I get the chance to continue my soccer career at a high-level professional club.
"I am extremely thankful for my four years at South Alabama. It was also one of my dreams to come play soccer and receive an education here in America. I have met so many amazing people and made lots of memories that will forever stay with me. I am grateful for all the support and help I have received over the years from my teammates, coaches, trainers, faculty and staff members."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the Upper 90 Club, the soccer specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All gifts to the Upper 90 Club go directly to support the South Alabama soccer program. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/upper90
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