MELBOURNE, Fla.- Former Florida Tech Women's Soccer player Ayana Aoyagi signed a professional contract with the South Melbourne FC women's team in Melbourne, Australia.
 
South Melbourne FC is a member of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria, the highest league within the Victorian soccer league system.  The league currently features 14 teams from around Victoria.

"I am very excited to join South Melbourne and be back in my home country after so many years abroad," stated Aoyagi. "This is a quality league, and I can't wait to begin the 2025 season".
 
Aoyagi previously played one season with Lily Wolf in Japan.
 
Aoyagi, a native of Cairns, Australia, was a two-year member of the Florida Tech women's soccer team, playing during the 2022 and 2023 seasons after transferring from Creighton.
 
In the 2023 season with Florida Tech, Aoyagi started all 23 games and only allowed 17 goals with 68 saves against 183 shots faced. Tech earned the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) co-regular season title, the NCAA South Region title, and a spot in the NCAA Final Four.
 
The goalkeeper was rewarded for her outstanding play with SSC Goalkeeper of the Year, CCA South-Region First Team, and USC All-Region First Team.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech women's soccer team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.