Liberty announces Alves & Rodrigues to squad ahead of home opener
Greenville, SC (April 28, 2023)- The Greenville Liberty announced the signing of Marcella Helena Alves and Giulia Rodrigues, pending league and federation approval. The midfielder, defender duo come from the #3 Nationally Ranked NAIA, Central Methodist University.
Marcella Helena Alves joins the Liberty after spending the 2022 W League season with AFC Ann Arbor, as a member of the Great Lakes Division. She recorded 229 minutes on the pitch and with two goals and two assists for the squad.
The CMU midfielder has competed in 45 matches, started 42, and collected an impressive 82 points with 33 goals, and 16 assists. Last season Alves finished second on the team in goals scored with 17, including a go-ahead goal versus MidAmerica Nazarene in the Heart Conference Final and the equalizer that sent CMU into double-overtime for the Second Round of the NAIA National Tournament. She has amassed a slew of awards during her time as an Eagle: Alves was named 2021 NAIA Third Team All-American and 2022 Honorable Mention, named the Heart Freshman of the Year, and 2021 and 2022 Heart First Team All-Conference selection. Most notably in her soccer career, she was called up to the Brazil U20 National Team during her freshman season at CMU. She recently announced her transfer to NCAA Division I, Oral Roberts University for the 2023 season.
Giulia Rodrigues comes to Greenville fresh off her freshman season at Central Methodist University. In 2022, she appeared in 15 matches, tallied three points with one assist and two goals, including a game-winning goal against Park University (MO) in the quarterfinals of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. Along with Helena, Rodrigues helped the team to be regular season and Heart Conference Champions in 2022.
Rodrigues comes to the states from São Paulo, Brazil, and brings several years of experience from the Brazilian National League including the U17 Brazilian National Team. Most recently she was a member of the Brasileiro A2 squad with stints at Portugal Benfica, E.C. Vitoria, Sao Paulo F.C. and C.A. Juventus. She graduated from High School Paralelo and received the honor of being named Outstanding Athlete in high school her senior year.
Alves and Rodrigues will take the pitch this season alongside fellow Liberty first years, Robyn Moody and Elicia Mulvaney. The club will begin its second season on Friday, May 12th at 7:00 PM with hopes of clenching the division title and bringing home the W League trophy. Single match tickets, Bargain Bundles and the 2023 Promo Schedule are available now. Click here to purchase tickets!
