BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Former WKU soccer star Libby Stout has signed a professional contract with F.F. Yzeure Allier Auvergne in France, becoming the first player in program history to sign a professional contract.
Stout (Louisville, Kentucky) signed her contract on Thursday morning, joining the Division I club that was founded in 1999.
"We are really excited," said WKU head coach Jason Neidell. "Libby is such a great person and such a great player. Good things happen to good people. This is a first for Lady Topper soccer. She is the first player to sign a professional contract for women's soccer from our university. We are really excited for Libby. We are excited for her blog and her Twitter account (@libbystout) so we can follow her as well."
"I don't think the gravity of this day has really hit me yet," said Stout. "I have always had the dream of becoming a professional athlete, and I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity and to have the love and support of everyone back home. I'm proud of myself for getting to this point and proving that a girl from Kentucky can be a professional soccer player. But I would be sorely mistaken if I said I did this all by myself. I can not adequately express my appreciation for my family, friends, coaches, and supporters throughout the years. To these great people who assured me that this dream was possible, I say thank you. I'm proud to represent WKU and the soccer program, my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and also the United States of America."
Stout became WKU Soccer's all-time leader in wins and minutes played during the 2011 season, posting a 45-17-11 record in goal during her career while recording 39 shutouts for the Lady Toppers. Her 39 shutouts are the second-most in NCAA history. In 76 career matches played, Stout set WKU career records for wins, shutouts, goals against average in 0.68, and save percentage at .860.
"She is very, very talented.," said Neidell. "She has put that talent to good use. She has a great head on her shoulders. She is a very mature person. She was a leader for us for four years and our captain. She has some of those intangible qualities that helped put her up on the next level."
In WKU's last 10 matches of the 2011 season, the DuPont Manual graduate allowed just two goals in 961:19 of action for a 0.19 goals against average and a .953 save percentage.
The Lady Toppers (1-1) return to the field Friday when they travel to Muncie, Indiana for a pair of games in the Ball State Tournament against two first-time opponents. WKU will face Xavier on Friday, Aug. 24 at 3:00pm ET and Northern Kentucky on Sunday, Aug. 26 at noon ET.
WKU returns home on Sept. 9 when the Lady Toppers host Vanderbilt at 1:00pm. Single game tickets are available through the WKU Ticket Office by calling 270-745-5222 or 1-800-5-BIG-RED. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.wkusports.com. In addition, a game ticket package with nine vouchers that can be used for any game during the 2012 season are available for just $25 through the ticket office.
For complete coverage of WKU Soccer, visit the official website of WKU Athletics at www.wkusports.com.
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