Maya Neal
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Maya Camille Neal | ||
| Date of birth | 22 December 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Naperville, Illinois, United States | ||
| Height | 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2019 | Tennessee Volunteers | 79 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | Le Havre | 5 | (0) |
| 2023 | UMF Afturelding | 18 | (7) |
| 2024-Present | BIIK Shymkent | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Maya Camille Neal (born 22 December 1996) is a Liberian footballer and athlete.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Neal was born on 22 December 1996 in Naperville, Illinois.[2] She competed in her first triathlon at the age of nine.[3] Neal attended Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville.[4]
Neal attended the University of Tennessee, where she majored in political science.[5] She was a multi-sport athlete for the Lady Vols, competing for the varsity soccer and track and field teams.[6] She was regarded as one of the soccer team's most important players.[7] She tore her meniscus in her collegiate soccer debut.[8]
Neal represented Liberia at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics.[9]
Style of play
[edit]Neal has been described as having an "attack-minded defending style".[10]
Personal life
[edit]Neal is the daughter of Michelle Neal, an immigration attorney who was born in Liberia.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Maya Neal Ready to Play for Lone Star". frontpageafricaonline.com. 9 December 2022.
- ^ "Maya Neal". Tennessee Volunteers Athletics. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Maya Neal not satisfied, but takes third at Arcadia". Chicago Tribune. 16 April 2015.
- ^ "Maya Neal: The Final New Balance Indoor Nationals Journal". milesplit.com.
- ^ "Maya Neal a leader on defense, advocate for the people of Liberia". knoxnews.com.
- ^ "Maya Neal, Gives 11 Pieces of Advice on Recruiting and More". 2adays.com.
- ^ "Nothing gets past Maya Neal". espn.co.uk. 15 November 2018.
- ^ "Maya Neal is a 'rock' for Tennessee women's soccer". knoxnews.com.
- ^ a b "Dual Athlete, Dual Citizen".
- ^ "Maya Neal is a willing and vocal supporter of her homeland". andscape.com. 16 November 2018.
External links
[edit]- Maya Neal at playmakerstats.com
- Tennessee Volunteers soccer bio
- Tennessee Volunteers track and field bio
- [1]
- QFL player profile
- Living people
- 1996 births
- Expatriate women's footballers in France
- American expatriate sportspeople in France
- American people of Liberian descent
- Sportspeople of Liberian descent
- American women's soccer players
- Liberian expatriate sportspeople in France
- Liberian footballers
- Liberian expatriate footballers
- Women's association football defenders
- Le Havre AC (women) players
- Tennessee Volunteers women's soccer players
- Tennessee Volunteers women's track and field athletes
- 21st-century American sportswomen