University of Memphis Athletics
Valerie Sanderson Signs with FC Metz in France
Jul 10, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Tigers’ all-time leading scorer to continue soccer career
Memphis women's soccer all-time leading scorer Valerie Sanderson will continue her soccer career in France with FC Metz beginning this season. FC Metz will compete in Division 2 Feminine in 2017-18 with hopes of being promoted back to the first division.
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"I just graduated college and not a lot of people can say that they made it professionally," Sanderson said. "This was one of my dreams. To go right after college and get a chance in one of the top leagues in the world is the best opportunity I could have gotten. I'm proud, happy and excited. The language of soccer is universal, but being able to communicate and make my way around will be easier because I speak the language. That made my decision that much easier."
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Sanderson, a four-time all-conference player, became the Memphis all-time leading goal-scorer with 52 career goals from 2013-16. She also holds the program's career record with 122 points. She had 16 career game-winning goals and also holds the program record with 12 multiple-goal matches.
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In her senior season in 2016, she scored 16 goals and finished with 39 points, which were both the most by a senior in school history. Sanderson became just the second four-time all-conference player in Memphis history after Vendula Strnadova (2007-10).
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"Valerie had a wonderful career here and not everybody that plays at the collegiate level has what it takes to play professionally. Those players are few and far between," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "She is definitely one of those players. It's a bonus for her to go to France because she is from Quebec and the transition should not be that difficult for her. We are rooting for her. She will always be a big part of this program and we will miss her."
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Sanderson will join Strnadova (2007-10) and former Tiger Christabel Oduro (2010-13) playing professional soccer in Europe.
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"I just graduated college and not a lot of people can say that they made it professionally," Sanderson said. "This was one of my dreams. To go right after college and get a chance in one of the top leagues in the world is the best opportunity I could have gotten. I'm proud, happy and excited. The language of soccer is universal, but being able to communicate and make my way around will be easier because I speak the language. That made my decision that much easier."
Â
Sanderson, a four-time all-conference player, became the Memphis all-time leading goal-scorer with 52 career goals from 2013-16. She also holds the program's career record with 122 points. She had 16 career game-winning goals and also holds the program record with 12 multiple-goal matches.
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In her senior season in 2016, she scored 16 goals and finished with 39 points, which were both the most by a senior in school history. Sanderson became just the second four-time all-conference player in Memphis history after Vendula Strnadova (2007-10).
Â
"Valerie had a wonderful career here and not everybody that plays at the collegiate level has what it takes to play professionally. Those players are few and far between," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "She is definitely one of those players. It's a bonus for her to go to France because she is from Quebec and the transition should not be that difficult for her. We are rooting for her. She will always be a big part of this program and we will miss her."
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Sanderson will join Strnadova (2007-10) and former Tiger Christabel Oduro (2010-13) playing professional soccer in Europe.
Players Mentioned
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