Taiana Tolleson
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Taiana Ku’uipo Kamalalani Tolleson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | April 24, 1998 | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Agia Paraskevi | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Surf Soccer Hawaii | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2019 | Vanderbilt Commodores | 34 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023–2024 | Tennessee SC | ||
| 2024–2025 | Lexington SC | 1 | (0) |
| 2025– | Agia Paraskevi | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 11, 2025 | |||
Taiana Ku’uipo Kamalalani Tolleson (born April 24, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Greek A Division club Agia Paraskevi. She played college soccer for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Early life
Tolleson is from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.[2] She began playing soccer at the age of 4 and eventually started competing as a goalkeeper at Konawaena High School.[3] While playing in a state tournament playoff match, she was recruited to local club Surf Soccer Hawaii by coach Shawn Kuroda. Tolleson accepted the offer and also played for Surf Soccer throughout high school.[4]
College career
During high school, Tolleson was recruited by the Vanderbilt Commodores. Although she initially struggled to meet the program's academic standards, she was eventually able to join Vanderbilt and become the first Big Island goalkeeper to sign with an NCAA Division I school.[4] Tolleson's presence on the team also made her the first Hawaiian soccer player in Vanderbilt's program history.[2] After moving to Tennessee, she faced competition on the squad and did not make any appearances as a freshman. However, over the next two seasons, she split playing time with original starter Lauren Demarchi.[5] Tolleson, with 6 second-year appearances,[6] got the lion's share of minutes in her sophomore season.[7] The following year, the two teammates ended up with a more equal split of playing time and both recorded 5 shutouts.[2][7] In her senior year, Tolleson appeared in all 21 of the Commodores' games, often coming in as a substitute to close out matches.[5] Despite being direct competitors, Tolleson and Demarchi managed to cultivate a friendship throughout their four seasons of soccer and have credited each other in their growth as goalkeepers.[7] Tolleson ended her college career with 34 appearances under her belt, including 2 in the NCAA tournament. She also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all four years.[2]
Club career
Tennessee SC
After graduating, Tolleson spent several years away from soccer.[8] In 2023, she returned to the sport and ended up playing two consecutive seasons for Tennessee SC of the pre-professional USL W League. She became Tennessee SC's starter in her first season and was named to the league's Team of the Month for June 2023.[9] In both campaigns, Tolleson contributed to South Central Division championship victories.[10]
Lexington SC
On July 5, 2024, Tolleson signed her first professional contract with Lexington SC ahead of the inaugural USL Super League season.[10] In doing so, she became the first Big Island native to ink a deal with a professional club in the United States.[11] She made her professional debut on May 29, 2025, starting and playing 90 minutes in Lexington's final match of the season.[12] Tolleson did not return to Lexington after her first season with the club.[13]
Agia Paraskevi
Tolleson signed with Greek club Agia Paraskevi on July 11, 2025.[14]
Career statistics
Club
- As of June 1, 2025[12]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Playoffs | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lexington SC | 2024–25 | USL Super League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ "Vanderbilt University Class of 2021 Commencement Program" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. p. 65. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Taiana Tolleson". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. May 4, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ "Freshman Focus – Saltmarsh, Tolleson and Waddle". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. July 17, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Hull, Billy (October 2, 2019). "Vanderbilt goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson makes the grade". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "My Best Friend and Direct Competitor". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ Winters, Rick (June 12, 2018). "College soccer: Tolleson living her dream at Vanderbilt". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Muir, Alyssa (September 23, 2019). "Dynamic duo Lauren Demarchi and Taiana Tolleson propelling Vanderbilt to hot start - The Vanderbilt Hustler". Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ Riberal, Mitch (July 7, 2024). "Hawaii's Taiana Tolleson signs with Lexington Sporting Club in USL Super League". Khon2. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "USL W League Team of the Month - June". USL W League. July 5, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "Lexington SC announces official signing of former Vanderbilt goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson to inaugural Super League roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ "Hawaii's Taiana Tolleson becomes 1st Big Island Native to ever sign with a U.S. Womens Pro Soccer Team". Yahoo News. July 8, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Taiana Tolleson at Soccerway
- ^ "Lexington Sporting Club Announces 2025 Roster Updates for Gainbridge Super League Team". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ Δρόσος, Γιάννης (July 11, 2025). "Ποδόσφαιρο Γυναικών: Απέκτησε την Taiana Tolleson η Αγία Παρασκευή". Kingsport.gr (in Greek). Retrieved July 11, 2025.
External links
- Taiana Tolleson at Soccerway.com
- Taiana Tolleson at Vanderbilt Commodores
- Taiana Tolleson at Lexington SC