The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves recently signed Zoe Misenhimer, Mary Wamack, and Emily Betterton to pre professional contracts ahead of the 2024 USL W League season. These mark the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth signings of players from the academy to the women’s team, following previous since the club’s inception in 2018.
“The impact will ultimately be down to the players, how well they compete in training, how disciplined and focused they are to get better,” said head coach Luke Winter. “We signed Mary, Emily and Zoe because we believe they are good enough to be on the roster. With the right attitude I believe they will earn opportunities.”
Zoe Misenhimer has played in the academy system since the 2022-23 season and spoke to her academy coaches preparing her for the next level, saying “…Danny McBride and Derek Potteiger have played a huge part in helping me get where I am today. My teammates and I have challenged each other at practice to help one another get better and maintain a competitive level when we play. The academy produces many players to go on and play for the Lady Red Wolves, so being able to look up to girls who have already signed inspires me and pushes me to reach that goal as well.”
Mary Wamack, who has been in the academy system since 2019, said she “…[wants] to set an example to the girls in the academy and show them how you can reach your goals of professional soccer. I can’t wait to see how much I am going to improve over the summer.”
Of her academy experience, she points to the Chattanooga Red Wolves academy system “ [setting her] up by consistently placing me in competitive environments and by providing me with amazing coaches and players who push me—especially Luke Winter who has guided me each step of the way. The Chattanooga Red Wolves Academy has provided me a path to make it here now. It’s a really special experience to have started from the beginning of the academy and to make it to the top level now.”
Emily Betterton “[hopes] to be an example for younger girls and to inspire the younger generation of Red Wolves girls,” and that, since her joining the Chattanooga Red Wolves academy in 2019-20, “[it] greatly prepared me for this opportunity by providing top-level coaches who have guided me throughout my soccer career here in Chattanooga. Hard work, dedication, and commitment individually and with my team is what I learn in every practice.”
“I have been able to say now three years in a row that we have added quality academy players to our senior team,” said Winter. “These are players that we believe can compete for positions and help the team win games. These are not token signings and players we will give minutes to when the team is winning games. These are meaningful signings and that is why it is important for Chattanooga. The young players in our academy and in the region can look up to these players and believe they can do that too. It’s a reason to be part of the Red Wolves Academy, it’s a reason to dream and a reason to work hard everyday to earn this type of opportunity.”
“For me, women’s soccer is about sharing a deep love for the game and igniting a passion that transcends generations,” said assistant coach Katie Phillips. “It’s about inspiring young athletes and nurturing their potential, laying the foundation for a brighter future in sports. The opportunity to sign academy players to our women’s team is a source of pride in my role with the Red Wolves. I believe these girls have the potential to become pivotal figures on this team and hope they can help reshape perceptions and set new standards for women’s sports in Chattanooga. I want young girls everywhere to witness the journey of these players and realize that with dedication and perseverance, their dreams are within reach and we will give them the tools to succeed here at the Red Wolves.”
The Lady Red Wolves kick off the 2024 season on Sunday, May 12th at home against Tennessee Soccer Club at CHI Memorial Stadium. Tickets for all home matches will be available online and access to all matches are included for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC first team season ticket holders.