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MADRID, Spain– Senior back Marta Turmo of the Franklin Pierce women’s soccer team has signed a contract to play professional soccer with Madrid Club de Futbol Feminino (Madrid CFF), as announced late last week by the club. Madrid CFF competes in the Spanish Primera Division, which is the highest level of women’s soccer in the country, and among the most prestigious women’s leagues in the world.

 

“I will always be grateful for [women’s soccer head] Coach [Jonathan Garbar], Franklin Pierce, and obviously, my teammates, for being one of the pillars in my everyday life,” said Turmo after signing her deal. “I am ready for challenges, new goals and new approaches to achieve them. I know it, I can feel it. What I will say is that I will never forget where I come from and that I will carry [Franklin Pierce women’s soccer] with me forever.”

 

Spain has set the global standard for women’s soccer, providing support and attention for the sport on a national stage, playing to crowds envied by much of the rest of the world. Twice already in 2019, Spanish teams have set new records for attendance of women’s soccer games at the club level. In January, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao played before a European record of more than 48,000 in Madrid. Just two months later, in March, Atletico Madrid topped the world record as well, against Barcelona, as the two played to a crowd of 60,739. Turmo’s Madrid CFF competes in a league with the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and squads fielded by other globally-recognized soccer clubs.

 

“Marta Turmo is a national team-level competitor, and embodies all the characteristics of an elite, and program-defining, leader,” said coach Garbar. “Marta has achieved something that so few competitors are ever capable of earning: no regrets. She is absolutely prepared for this next phase of her career, and our program is privileged to have been represented and led by such a relentless student-athlete and unique spirit.”

 

Turmo capped her collegiate career with two seasons at Franklin Pierce, after also playing under coach Garbar at his previous stop, Monroe College. Despite the abbreviated stint in Rindge, Turmo hauled in a cupboard-full of hardware during her time as a Raven. She was a consensus All-America Third Team selection this fall in her senior season, as she earned the accolade from both the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and United Soccer Coaches (USC). Turmo was a consensus All-East Region First Team pick as well, in addition to earning Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team plaudits from the Northeast-10 Conference. As a junior, she was a USC All-East Region Second Team and All-NE10 First Team pick.

 

Not limited to success on just the soccer field, Turmo excelled in the classroom at Franklin Pierce as well. With a GPA north of 3.70, she earned Academic All-America Third Team honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) this fall, along with Academic All-Conference accolades from the NE10. She was the NE10’s women’s soccer Sport Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes one student-athlete from each sport for their combination of athletic and academic accomplishments. CoSIDA bestowed her with Academic All-District First Team honors as well.

 

The Primera Division season is slated to begin in September. Madrid CFF will be entering its third straight season playing at Spain’s highest level.

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete. 

Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.