Ivy (Garner) Younce Signs with the NWSL’s NC Courage
3/10/2026 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Former Lady Flame Ivy (Garner) Younce will be signing a professional contract with the NWSL's NC Courage, the club announced on Tuesday. She becomes the first Lady Flame to sign a deal with any NWSL organization.
The NC Courage is an NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) organization based in Cary, N.C. Entering their tenth season of competition in 2026, the Courage began play in the NWSL (USSF Division I) in 2017. The team plays home matches at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park and is the winningest club in NWSL history, claiming seven league trophies as three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), and two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023).
Younce played all four years of her college career at Liberty (2022-25) and ranks as one of the best scorers and forwards in program history. Following four seasons in Lynchburg, she ranks as No. 2 all-time in points (91), goals (34), assists (15) and game-winning goals (15) in program history. She guided Liberty to a pair of Conference USA titles (2023, 25), an Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championship (2022) and two CUSA Regular Season Championships (2024, 25).
She was named to the ASUN All-Freshman team in 2022 and became a three-time Conference USA All-Conference first team selection the next three seasons. She was selected as the CUSA Player of the Year in 2025 with 16 goals and 38 points.
Liberty head coach Lang Wedemeyer said about Younce, "Ivy has been the consummate student athlete in her time at Liberty. Her dedication, drive and desire to be the absolute best she can be has not only allowed her to succeed at Liberty but is now transcending into the professional game."
He went on to add, "We are so proud of what she has accomplished and excited for how she will represent our program, and more importantly, Christ, with the Courage and the NWSL."
NC Courage opens the season at home on March 14 at 7 p.m. against Racing Louisville.
Onto the next level ??????
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) March 10, 2026
Congratulations Ivy on signing with the NC Courage. Can't wait to watch you do your thing in the NWSL ??
?? https://t.co/tXG4JvAvkJ pic.twitter.com/RGZW1l70on
The NC Courage is an NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) organization based in Cary, N.C. Entering their tenth season of competition in 2026, the Courage began play in the NWSL (USSF Division I) in 2017. The team plays home matches at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park and is the winningest club in NWSL history, claiming seven league trophies as three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), and two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023).
Younce played all four years of her college career at Liberty (2022-25) and ranks as one of the best scorers and forwards in program history. Following four seasons in Lynchburg, she ranks as No. 2 all-time in points (91), goals (34), assists (15) and game-winning goals (15) in program history. She guided Liberty to a pair of Conference USA titles (2023, 25), an Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championship (2022) and two CUSA Regular Season Championships (2024, 25).
She was named to the ASUN All-Freshman team in 2022 and became a three-time Conference USA All-Conference first team selection the next three seasons. She was selected as the CUSA Player of the Year in 2025 with 16 goals and 38 points.
Liberty head coach Lang Wedemeyer said about Younce, "Ivy has been the consummate student athlete in her time at Liberty. Her dedication, drive and desire to be the absolute best she can be has not only allowed her to succeed at Liberty but is now transcending into the professional game."
He went on to add, "We are so proud of what she has accomplished and excited for how she will represent our program, and more importantly, Christ, with the Courage and the NWSL."
NC Courage opens the season at home on March 14 at 7 p.m. against Racing Louisville.
Ivy Garner Highlights
Monday, February 02
Coach Wedemeyer Talks About Preparing For Clemson
Tuesday, November 11
Briana Myers & Ivy Garner Talk About Preparing For Clemson
Tuesday, November 11
Coach Wedemeyer & Halle Engle React To The NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Show
Monday, November 10