Three-year starter Mackin, 2022 player Jones make jump to new USL Super League
Greenville, SC (June 28, 2024)- Two former Greenville Liberty players are making the jump to professional soccer, signing with Lexington Sporting Club for the inaugural season of the USL Super League this fall. Three-year Liberty standout, Julie Mackin highlights the announcement. Mackin signs alongside former Liberty and Clemson teammate Courtney Jones, who played for the Liberty during its inaugural 2022 campaign. The Super League begins play this August as a Division 1-sanctioned professional league.
One of the Liberty’s first signings after the team was announced, Mackin appeared in 29 matches for the club across three seasons of play. Both a lethal threat on the offense and defense, she holds the most assists (5) in club history and is third overall in goals (7). Mackin’s play is characterized by her lightning speed and relentless work ethic, which Greenville fans witnessed across more than 2000 minutes of play. She is one of three players to have appeared in a Liberty match each season since its inception, including Sarah Jacobs and Alexah Fite.
Mackin earned notoriety among Greenville and USL W League fans alike, having garnered a place on the 2024 season Players to Watch list. However, Mackin’s ties to the Upstate run deeper than the Liberty. A graduate of Clemson University and four-year letterman from 2016-2019, she received All-ACC Academic Team honors and CoSIDA Academic honors as a Tiger.
“Julie’s opportunity to play professionally is something she dreamed about and has made a reality,” said Head Coach Julie Carlson. “She took the Liberty platform and used it to propel her playing career and the belief in herself to make her dream come true. I’m so proud of her achieving an opportunity to play professionally and be a part of the inaugural season of the USL Super League.”
“Julie represents the example of what our Liberty program is all about which is to educate, develop and propel players forward. She has been such an integral part of the Liberty program both as a role model and as an impact player using her ability to represent the level of players the Liberty brings in and looks to drive to the pro level. She was a crucial participant in the Liberty’s success both on and off the field in her three seasons with us. We are all so excited to see her succeed with all she has invested in her game’s growth.”
2022 Liberty alum, Courtney Jones has also penned a professional contract with Lexington SC, they announced earlier today. Jones appeared and started in five matches for 369 minutes before an injury sidelined her for the remainder of the inaugural season. Jones has since recouped, graduated from Clemson University with a Master of Education in Cynical Psychology and pursued her desire to play professionally. The former Tiger teammates will now reconnect in the USL Super League.
“Courtney, like Julie, is getting a wonderful opportunity to live out her playing career aspirations to get to the pro level,” said Carlson. “She was instrumental in our 2022 season prior to suffering an injury that did not allow her to continue in 2023 and with her pursuance to play Super League, she chose to forego the 2024 season to stay healthy. I am proud of her and the obstacles she has overcome to get herself to this point and will be another great representation of our program’s goals to help and assist players to their playing careers into the pro ranks.”
Jones and Mackin become the third and fourth Liberty alum to move into the professional ranks within the States, following Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit) and Caroline Conti (Bay FC). To follow along with her journey follow the Lexington SC Super League accounts on social media and tune in to the season this fall.
*All match statstics provided by Greenville Goals. Follow @gvlgoals on Twitter and Instagram for more Greenville Liberty or Triumph match data.
