One athlete’s trajectory stands out as particularly remarkable in the realm of youth soccer: Karlie Young (née Paschall). Her extensive list of accomplishments, both individually and as a member of the Tennessee SC team, firmly established her as a standout performer at the highest echelons of US Youth Soccer competition.
Young’s athletic journey continued at the collegiate level, where she participated in 74 matches for the Duke University women’s soccer program. However, an unforeseen shift occurred during her senior season, prompting a transition away from active play and toward a new professional path.
A Pivotal Moment: From Player to Scientist
The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the 2020-21 athletic calendar, extending the season into the spring months. This period typically sees college seniors focusing on securing employment rather than continuing their athletic careers. Recognizing the physical limitations that would prevent a sustained professional playing career, Young approached then-Duke coach Robbie Church with a unique proposition.
“I asked if it would be possible to transition into a sports science role with the team, making that my primary focus,” Young recalled. Fortunately, Church enthusiastically supported her request, stating, “Absolutely. If that’s the next step in your career, we want to support that.” This decision marked a turning point, initiating Young’s evolution from athlete to sports scientist. Now, less than five years after graduating from Duke, the 27-year-old has rapidly built an impressive career in sports science, dedicated to maximizing athletic potential.
Dominance in Youth Soccer: Tennessee SC Years
Reflecting on her formative years, Young immediately highlights the importance of her team. During her time with Tennessee SC 16, the squad achieved remarkable success, securing eight State Cups, five Southern Regional titles, and consecutive US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2016 and 2017.
Young was an instrumental figure in these triumphs, accumulating numerous individual accolades, including five National Championship Best 11 honors and a prestigious National Championship Golden Ball award as the Most Valuable Player. Ronnie Woodard, a director at Tennessee SC and Young’s coach for four years, lauded her exceptional talent, understanding of the game, and technical proficiency – a combination that allowed her to compete with older age groups.
The Foundation for a New Career
Woodard also emphasized Young’s selfless nature and dedication to team success, noting her commitment to continuous learning. “She was a sponge, always eager to learn,” Woodard explained. “She actively sought feedback, reflected on it, and then refined her individual development plan. She consistently demonstrated significant improvement in every area we discussed.” This dedication to learning, cultivated during her playing days, foreshadowed her future career path. Young credits the club’s staff and Woodard with fostering an environment that prioritized growth and encouraged intellectual curiosity.
A key element of their success was embracing failure as a learning opportunity. “We had a remarkable level of freedom and creativity in training,” Young stated. “There was a safe space to experiment and make mistakes, a quality I believe is often undervalued in modern sports. I was grateful for the opportunity to be free and creative.” This foundation proved invaluable as Young participated in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP), where she experienced a more individualistic and high-pressure environment. Her experiences with ODP and her club team led to selections for various U.S. Soccer youth national teams, including appearances with the U-14 through U-20 squads and international travel to Europe.
Transitioning to the Professional Realm
Young’s final season with Tennessee SC culminated in a special achievement: claiming the first division title in the National League with a perfect 7-0-0 record. This set the stage for a summer campaign to defend their National Championship title. In the 2017 title game, Young assisted the opening goal and scored the second, giving her team a 2-0 lead. However, a shoulder injury sustained 30 minutes before the final whistle prematurely ended her youth career. Despite the injury, Young learned she had also been awarded the Golden Ball as the championship’s top player and insisted on attending the ceremony before heading to the hospital and ultimately boarding a plane to Duke.
After appearing in 24 games as a freshman and studying psychology, Young faced a setback with a ruptured Achilles tendon just before the 2018 NCAA Tournament. This injury, and the subsequent rehabilitation process, sparked her interest in sports science. While recovering, she began using a GPS tracker to monitor her performance and sought guidance from Duke physical therapist Ciara Burgi. Burgi recognized Young’s analytical mind and passion for problem-solving, noting her ability to connect with people and her growing fascination with data and its application to athletic performance. Young proactively sought additional knowledge, even creating her own syllabus and purchasing textbooks to deepen her understanding.
Following Burgi’s departure to the NFL, Young proactively sought opportunities to apply her newfound knowledge, assisting Duke’s teams with performance data analysis. This led to a self-created internship within the athletics department and, ultimately, a full-time position as a sports scientist with the Duke field hockey team after graduation in May 2021.
Currently, Young works as an account manager with PlayerData, providing sports science analysis and educational content to clients ranging from youth clubs to professional organizations like U.S. Soccer and several MLB teams. Her unique background as a high-level athlete allows her to effectively bridge the gap between scientific data and practical application, making her a valuable asset in the evolving world of sports performance. As Woodard aptly stated, Young is poised to become a pioneer, carrying the torch for future generations and strengthening the landscape of sports.
