Golden Eagle soccer announces signings of four incoming freshmen
Fresh off a championship-caliber campaign for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, the Golden Eagles already have their sights set on the future with the addition of four incoming freshmen to the 2026 roster.
By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off a championship-caliber campaign for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, the Golden Eagles already have their sights set on the future with the addition of four incoming freshmen to the 2026 roster.
TTU head coach Corey Boyd and his staff announced the signings of Kayla Childs, Kennedy Dade, Hadley Griffith and Julia Wieland, who are set to make their Tech debuts in the fall of 2026 for a program that is coming off one of its best seasons in school history following a recent trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years.
"One of our goals with this class was to get bigger, stronger and faster, especially as we move into a new conference and a new era for our program," Boyd said, on the club's incoming quartet of freshmen. "We wanted to add versatile players who can run, are tough, physical and want to work hard and compete right away. We also wanted to bring in quality people who want to be here and part of what our program continues to build at Tennessee Tech. We think we achieved all of this with Kayla, Kennedy, Hadley and Juila and are so excited that they are joining our family."
A versatile four-year varsity starter during her days at Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Kayla Childs (pictured left) suited up as an outside back, an attacking midfielder and a forward/winger throughout her high-school career. Even after spending her freshman campaign exclusively a defender, the Brentwood, Tenn. native still collected 41 goals and 25 assists throughout her four-year tenure, highlighted by a 17-goal, seven-assist junior season and a 15-goal, eight-assist senior campaign.
"Kayla is a 5-foot-10 forward with a lot of power and pace," Boyd claimed. "She is strong, direct, wants to score goals and is versatile with her ability to play across the frontline. We are excited about Kayla's development within our program."
Childs comes to Cookeville as a three-time member of the all-district team, a two-time Offensive MVP, Rookie of the Year recognition and winner of her school's 2025 Sonic Scholar Athlete Award. Her off the pitch honors also include an AP Scholar Award and membership in the National Honors Society. On the club circuit, Childs was part of the Chattanooga Red Wolves.
Kennedy Dade (pictured right) will suit up in purple and gold after a star-studded four-year run at Farragut High School in Farragut, Tenn. As a center and outside back, Dade was a four-time all-district performer, a three-time all-region player, twice named all-state, a three-time team MVP and a two-time District Defender of the Year.
"Kennedy is a tough center back/fullback combo," Boyd said. "She is a powerful ball winner in the air and is dangerous on set pieces. Tough and no nonsense is an easy description for Kennedy and we are excited about her addition."
A two-year varsity captain, Dade was also a member of FC Alliance within the club ranks.
A two-sport athlete during her days at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., Hadley Griffith (pictured left) was a five-time letterwinner in both track & field and soccer. On the pitch, the Chattanooga native was part of a program that won three state titles, two region crowns and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation during her senior season.
"Hadley is a strong, powerful and athletic winger with a hardworking mentality," Boyd remarked. "She is versatile and can also play fullback or wingback. We are looking forward to the work ethic Hadley will bring to our team."
A multiple all-region recipient, Griffith was also named the State Championship MVP as a senior for a team that went 19-2-1 overall. From a club perspective, the incoming Tech freshman suited up for FC Alliance and Red Wolves SC.
A four-year letterwinner who protected the net at Mount Notre Dame in Cincinnati, Ohio, Julia Wieland (pictured right) joins the Tech ranks with an impressive high-school resume that featured an all-conference first-team accolade after leading the league in shutouts and saves as well as an All-Southwest Ohio first-team honor. With only nine scores allowed and 159 stops, Wieland posted a .946 save percentage and 13.5 shutouts throughout her junior campaign at Mount Notre Dame for a program that claimed two conference titles, two sectional championships and a 2024 SW Ohio District crown.
"Julia is a goalkeeper with great size to go along with a great technical base and distribution," Boyd said. "She plays for one of the best club teams in the nation and will add great depth to our goalkeeper department as we lose two seniors in that position."
From the club lens, Wieland was part of Ohio Elite SA ECNL 2008. The squad was a United Futsal World Champion to go along with an ECNL Super Cup and an ECNL National Selection Game in Phoenix. Off the pitch, the Cincinnati product was part of the Billiart Scholar Honors program as well as a member of the National Honors Society.
