Emma Kirlin, Martha Bishop & Macie Mietz sign after competing in 2022 USL Academy Cup
Greenville, SC (March 28, 2023) – The Greenville Liberty Soccer Club has announced the signing of Emma Kirlin, Martha Bishop and Macie Mietz, pending league and federation approval. Bishop and Kirlin represented the Greenville Triumph in Tampa, FL during the 2022 USL Academy Cup prior to the Liberty’s brand unveiling, and later joined the team for its inaugural 2022 season. Mietz joins the Liberty after competing for AC Connecticut during last year’s tournament.
Kirlin will enter her second year with the club after a delayed start last season due to the ECNL National Tournament. Kirlin appeared in the final matches of the 2022 season as the backup goalkeeper for Katelyn Kellogg. Just a junior at Wade Hampton High School, she has already verbally committed to women’s soccer powerhouse Florida State University. The 16-year-old has racked up accolades in her club soccer career, including competing in the 2022 Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game, being voted 2021-2022 Mid-Atlantic All-Conference Second team, 2020-21 USYS Piedmont Conf Best XI, a 2021 USYNT Regional ID Center Invite, and 2018-21 USYS ODP Region/Inter-Region. In high school, Kirlin earned 2022 5A All-Region while securing a region championship for the Generals.
Bishop, a defender on the Academy squad with Kirlin, also moved up to the Liberty roster after the tournament. The Spartanburg native graduated early and began her first semester at Samford University this January. In 2022, Bishop collected Mid-Atlantic All-Conference Second team honors, was selected as a captain, and led her CESA team to ECNL Nationals. As a Spartanburg High School Viking, Bishop was named the 2021-2022 Scoring MVP, selected All-Region and set a school record for most goals scored in a season with 32.
New to Greenville, Mietz has moved into the pre-professional ranks from New England. Head Coach, Julie Carlson caught a glimpse of Mietz abilities in last year’s 2022 Academy Cup with AC Connecticut. The defender also found interest in the South-Atlantic Champions and W League semi-finalist, agreeing to compete for the Upstate South Carolina side this summer. An impressive high school career at Bethel High School led her to commit to Butler University. As a junior, Mietz has been named a two-time All-State, two-time SWC All-Conference, three-time Player of the Year, 2022 All-New England member, and to the 2023 High School All-American watch list. On the youth club side, Mietz competes for Connecticut FC in the ECNL New England Conference where she led her team in assist two years in a row, and finished first and second in the division in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The trio adds to an exceedingly impressive Liberty roster, along with fellow Academy alumni, Autumn Cayelli and Mia Applegate. This Thursday the USL Academy will kick off its 2023 Academy Cup in Tampa, FL. Tune into the Greenville Triumph and Liberty teams, here and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for score updates!
