ATLANTA, GEORGIA—Two former remarkable players of Georgia State University Panthers Women’s Soccer Team have recently signed a professional soccer contract to continue playing soccer after the end of their collegiate career.
According to reports, Brooke Shank has signed with Valadares Gaia of the Portuguese First Division, while Callie O’Connor has signed with the Rome (Ga.) Gladiators of the National Indoor Soccer League.
GSU Panthers Women’s Soccer head coach Ed Joyce is very happy with the looming professional soccer career of his former players.
“We are extremely proud of Callie and Brooke for extending their careers past the college level,” Joyce said.
“Brooke was a standout player for us here at GSU and we have no doubt that she will do herself proud in Portugal. Callie’s accomplishment is all the more impressive as she is playing while also a full-time nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. It is always great to see a player move on to the next level but to have two in the same week makes us very proud,” Joyce added.
Shank finished her career at Georgia State in 2019 after earning All-Sun Belt Second Team and All-Tournament Team honors. A three-time Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honoree, Shank played in 18 games as a senior while scoring three goals with an assist. All three goals during her senior season proved to be game-winners against Sun Belt Conference opponents. She finished the year with a team-high 39 total shots including 17 shots on goal. Shank also earned a pair of President’s List honors and was a three-time Dean’s List recipient in her time at GSU.
O’Connor played in 11 matches during her senior year in 2016 earning seven starts while ranking fourth on the team with 16 shots taken. She scored a goal in the regular-season opener against Alabama State. As a junior, she played in 18 matches and had three goals, including two game-winning goals. She took 30 shots including 19 that were on target. She earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll recognition in her final semester at Georgia State.
The Panthers ended the 2021 season in November going 9-4-7, including a 3-1-6 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. The Panthers finished in third place in the conference and advanced to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Championship.
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