Sallie Garner

Liberty WSOC Media Day on August 6th, 2024. (Photo by Cassidy Paxton)

Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Height:
5-6
Hometown:
Matthews, N.C.
Position:
D
Prev School:
Porter Ridge High School

2024 (RS So.)

Named to the Conference USA All-Conference first team
Selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region first team
Voted as the 2024 CUSA Preseason Defender of the Year
Started all 21 games, logging over 1,500 minutes
Tallied one goal and led defenders with five assists and seven points
Scored first career goal in a 3-1 win at ETSU on Aug. 25
Registered at least a point over a stretch of seven-of-nine games from Aug. 22-Sept. 12
Led Liberty defense that ranked No. 12 in the country with a 0.619 goals-against average
Totaled 11 shots with seven on goal
Tallied four complete 90-minute games and eight games with at least 80 minutes played
Featured on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team
Awarded the CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal

2023 (RS Fr.)

Appeared in all 20 games, making 16 starts
Named to the 2023 Conference USA All-Freshman team
Made Liberty debut on season opener in a 2-1 win against VCU on Aug. 18
Recorded first career assist in a 2-0 victory against Appalachian State on Sept. 14
Tallied two assists in the year, tied first in assists for Liberty freshman
Logged over 1,280 minutes of play, recorded a full 90 minutes in six games
Included on CUSA Academic Honor Roll

2022 (Fr.)

Utilized redshirt season
Included on Atlantic Sun Academic Honor Roll

Prep

A multi-sport athlete, Garner ran track, in addition to playing soccer at Porter Ridge High School
Garner played centerback at Porter Ridge under head coach, Rod Ladimir and Jade Cheron, where she was a two-year starter
Leading the backline, Garner also scored 11 goals during her junior season in which she was named a First Team All-Region selection and all-conference
In her track career, Garner qualified for the States, finishing 8th in the 400-meter dash and set the 400-meter dash record and the 4x400 meter record

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
I love the values of Liberty and the shared goal of glorifying God through all that we do. The soccer is also high level, and I knew I would grow as a player.

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I love to listen to worship music before games, it gets my heart in the right place and helps me calm down.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
Someone who inspires me is my grandma, she has the strongest faith of anyone I know and has used very tough life circumstances to strengthen her faith and help her encourage others.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
My most memorable athletic moment was getting to play in the NCAA tournament at Georgia.

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My dad played college and professional football at JMU, Arizona Rattlers, Georgia Force, and Baltimore Ravens. My younger sister also plays with me at Liberty on the women’s soccer team.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
My favorite meal is spaghetti, it is a comfort meal that I am always in the mood for :)

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I either open Messages or Instagram first in the morning.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I like to play guitar!

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have a dog named Tae.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Julie Ertz or Crystal Dunn.

What is your favorite possession and why?
My favorite possession is my Bible (and journal) because it’s how I spend time with God every single day.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Never Say Never by Justin Bieber.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
My dream vacation is Switzerland, I have always dreamed of seeing the mountains in the summer.