IRVINE, Calif. – Recent Concordia University Irvine graduate Maddie Lauro has signed a contract to play professionally for Campbelltown City SC, a soccer team in South Australia.
 
A starting midfielder on the nationally-ranked CUI women's soccer team the past two years, Lauro feels blessed to get the chance to compete in the sport she loves as a member of a professional team.
 
"I knew I wanted to keep playing as soon as the season was over in November so I continued to train with the team," added Lauro. "I got an agent who specifically worked in Australia with professional teams of all divisions and he helped me find the right place!"
 
As a National Premier League Women's club (NPLW), Campbelltown SC is based out of Adelaide in the capital of South Australia, which is one of the states in Australia. Adelaide is actually the fifth-largest city in the country.
 
"It's a smaller city compared to Sydney or Melbourne but is still a relatively big city, by the coast, and filled with opportunities," explained Lauro.
 
The Carlsbad High School alum says she has never been to Australia but she is excited for what lies ahead. "Not knowing the place or really any people besides a few phone calls with my coaches is what I am trusting," admitted Lauro. "When I graduated, I knew I had to trust in God's plan for me and I put a lot of faith in Him when making this big move."
 
"I'm incredibly proud of Maddie," said CUI women's soccer head coach Chris Gould. "She's earned this opportunity through years of hard work, resilience, and a deep love for the game. It's exciting to see her take this next step, and I couldn't be happier for her."
 
Lauro started all 18 games during her senior campaign with the nationally-ranked Golden Eagles. She scored three goals and added four assists this past fall, which included a goal on Senior Day in a 5-1 home win over Hawai'i Pacific. She also net three goals as a junior in her first season at Concordia.
 
Fittingly, the Golden Eagles never lost a match when she scored (CUI was 5-0-1 in those six games).
 
Overall, Lauro started 35 of her 36 career matches with the Green and Gold, and was a member of back-to-back squads that made the NCAA DII West Regional with identical 13-3-2 records. She was on the pitch and one of the first teammates to hug Riley Walkington when the Golden Eagles beat Cal State San Marcos in overtime in the first round of the 2023 regional playoffs. CUI has qualified for the postseason in each of the past three years.
 
"Maddie is the type of player every coach hopes to have—hardworking, selfless, and fiercely competitive," Gould added. "She brings energy and positivity to every environment she steps into, and her new team is getting not just a talented soccer player, but a teammate who will elevate the group both on and off the field."
 
This new chapter in her life starts quickly, as the recent CUI graduate will be flying out to Australia later this month to meet her new teammates and make new memories.
 
"I leave May 24th which is in less than two weeks," said Lauro. "It's very exciting and I can't wait!"

Join us in wishing Maddie good luck on her journey!