CALGARY – After five standout seasons with the University of Calgary Dinos women's soccer team, Talia White has signed a professional contract to play down under with Australian power South Hobart FC.

White recently wrapped up her outstanding career at UCalgary, helping the Dinos to new heights and an incredible 56-15-12 overall record in her five years, including back-to-back trips to the U SPORTS Championships in 2018 and 2019.

"I am super grateful and excited for this opportunity to start my professional career," White said. "I'm a bit nervous to live in a new country on my own, but I think I will learn a lot and I am excited to see where this opportunity in Australia takes me!

"I am very lucky to have had such an amazing team and coaching staff for the past six years at Calgary. They challenged me to be my best self, on and off the field. I wouldn't have been able to pursue soccer at this level if it wasn't for the endless support from my teammates, coaching staff, friends and family. I definitely owe them a huge thank you!"

A stalwart on the backline, White was a big part of Calgary's defensive success that helped the Dinos to a run of 26 regular-season games in a row without a loss – a program record. She started in all of her 83 games played and also added four assists from the backline, including two this past season.

White earned a number of awards in her time in the Scarlett and Gold. She was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2016 and would go on to be a four-time CW All-Star honouree, in addition to being named a First Team All-Canadian following the 2018 season.

"Talia White arrived on campus from Foothills Soccer Club a star, and that star continued to shine," Dinos head coach Troye Flannery said. "In our leadership group from the first day, capturing (Canada West Rookie of the Year) recognition and numerous Canada West All-Star awards, Talia was an instrumental part of our program success, on and off the field. In five years, I believe she played all but 15 minutes. I am proud of Talia; her brave pursuit of everything she does is exemplary. She is going to a very good program in Australia, and I expect her to excel and grow from there."

South Hobart FC is the longest-running club in Tasmania, with a history dating back to 1910. The club competes in the Tasmanian Premier League and is located on the southern coast of the island of Tasmania.

White becomes the third women's soccer player from the Dinos program to sign professionally this offseason. She joins Lauren Houghton (Grindavik – Iceland) and Montana Leonard, who has signed in the same league in Tasmania with Launceston United.