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Former Austin Peay State University great Tatiana Ariza finding success on International Stage

Austin Peay State University Sports Information

APSU Soccer - Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN – Legendary Austin Peay State University soccer player Tatiana Ariza enjoyed an illustrious four-year career in Clarksville and is continuing that success on the biggest stages of women’s club soccer.

Ariza, a forward for the Govs from 2010-2013, was named first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference all four years in her career and was named OVC Freshman of the Year in 2010 and OVC Offensive Player of the Year in 2012.

Former Austin Peay Women's Soccer star Tatiana Ariza. (APSU Sports Information)
Former Austin Peay Women’s Soccer star Tatiana Ariza. (APSU Sports Information)

Ariza also tops the single-season and career categories for goals, assists, and points.

After appearing for Colombian national teams at youth level, Ariza was named to Colombia’s senior national team for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the 2012 Olympics in London while still at Austin Peay. She has gone on to represent Colombia at another World Cup and Olympics, the 2015 World Cup in Canada and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Ariza has made her name in Houston, spending time with the Houston Aces in the United Women’s Soccer League, the second tier of women’s soccer in America. During her time in Houston, Ariza was a coach for Soccer Shots Houston, a premier soccer academy specifically aimed at developing young children.

Recently, Ariza ventured to Greece to play for Elpides Karditsas in the top tier of Greek soccer. Her team also qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the premier club soccer competition in Europe. Ariza scored her first goal for the club in the Champions League Final Qualifying Round against Shymkent from Kazakhstan, becoming the first Colombian woman to score in the Champions League.

Just three days later, Ariza also found the net in a 3-1 win over Austrian team Landhaus. Ariza also played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Riga from Latvia.

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