(Editor’s note: Carroll College athletics release)
HELENA — Carroll College women’s soccer coach Dave Thorvilson announced the signing of Sydney Marbach and Sarah Conway as the final members of his 2019 recruiting class.
“Excited about Sydney and Sarah rounding out our recruiting class,” Saints coach Dave Thorvilson said.
Marbach, a 5-foot-7 defender from Stevenson Ranch, California, joins the Saints after a strong career at West Ranch High School. She helped her team’s defense record 10 shutouts in 12 appearances. Marbach holds the West Ranch record for most playoff games played in. As a freshman, she was named the Best Offensive Player of the Year when she played forward. She became a captain her senior year, earning her team’s Leadership Award. She also played eight years of club soccer for LA Premier FC.
“Sydney comes to us from a great club out of (Los Angeles),” Thorvilson said. “She could play anywhere on the backline. Her cousin Sandy Howlett was a part of the original soccer team here at Carroll College. It will be great for her to continue that legacy.”
The West Ranch administration selected her as the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award.
“I chose Carroll because I loved the student environment, the small-town feeling and the outdoors that surrounds it,” Marbach said.
She held a 3.7 GPA in high school and plans to study nursing.
Conway, of Belt, Montana, joins the Fighting Saints after competing for the Great Falls High Bison. The 5-foot-6 goalie played in the field for the Bison last season, showing an ability to play multiple positions on the pitch. She’s been a part of the varsity the majority of her high school career and has a chance to factor into the Saints’ game plan early on. She will also play softball for the Saints. She was a two-time state champion in softball.
“I really loved the people at Carroll and the campus is beautiful,” Conway said. “I also am getting the opportunity to play two sports which is something I was looking into.”
Conway anticipates studying pre-physical therapy and health sciences. She held a 3.95 GPA in high school. She is the daughter of Mark and Laura Conway.
“Sarah will give us depth as a goalkeeper coming in,” Thorvilson said. “She’s a tremendous athlete playing two sports at Carroll College. Excited to see her play both soccer and softball.”
The Carroll women’s soccer team split the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season championship last season and posted a 10-6-3 record overall, including a 9-1-2 record in conference.
