Madie Gibson: “Gintra Universitetas, being the top team in Lithuania, is a great opportunity for me to start my professional career.” (Photo courtesy of Monmouth SID)

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University women’s standout Madie Gibson has signed a contract to begin her professional soccer career with Gintra Universitetas in Šiauliai, Lithuania.

Gintra Universitetas competes in Lithuania’s highest league, A Lyga, and qualified for last season’s Champions League competition after winning the A Lyga Championship for the 15th consecutive season.

“Gintra Universitetas, being the top team in Lithuania, is a great opportunity for me to start my professional career,” Gibson said. “I can’t thank my coaches and Monmouth women’s soccer enough for shaping me into the player and person I am today and I can’t wait to get started.”

One of the most decorated women’s soccer players in program history, the Cape May, N.J. resident helped lead Monmouth to four consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Gibson finished her career fifth in the Monmouth record book with 102 career points, including 35 goals and 32 assists. She became Monmouth’s first three-time all-region choice and the second Hawk to be named first team All-MAAC each of her four seasons.

“Madie had an unbelievable career for us and it has been long time goal of hers to play professional soccer,” head coach Krissy Turner said. “This is a great opportunity for her to play for a competitive team that has high aspirations. We are excited for Madie to get started and look forward to following her successful career as a pro.”

Gibson joined Monmouth Athletics Hall of Famer Christie Pearce Rampone ’99, Gabriella Cuevas (’18) and Monique Goncalves (’16) as former Monmouth women’s soccer players to compete at the professional level.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.