Tech soccer announces additions of two Golden Eagles to 2026 roster
Nanna Lilja Guðfinnsdóttir and Elena Lizarralde Arano sign with Tennessee Tech.
By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As spring starts to turn the page into summer, the Tennessee Tech soccer team continues to bolster its 2026 roster as the Golden Eagles added two more into the fall mix.
Tech head coach Corey Boyd and his staff announced the signings of incoming freshman Nanna Lilja Guðfinnsdóttir and transfer Elena Lizarralde Arano, who will make their purple and gold debut in the fall of 2026 for a program that is fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance after claiming both the OVC regular-season and tournament titles in the club's final year in the conference.
Nanna Lilja Guðfinnsdóttir (pictured left) comes to Cookeville by way of Alftanes, Iceland where the incoming Tech rookie excelled within the international ranks. Guðfinnsdóttir's level of experience includes being a member of the prestigious Starjnan, one of the best clubs in all of Iceland. During her time within the club system, Guðfinnsdóttir competed in several league matches, cup competition and youth tournaments. The newest Golden Eagle has also been selected six times to the Iceland U16 national team and served as team captain for Alfantes.
"Nanna is a two-footed fullback/center-back who likes to get forward," TTU head coach Corey Boyd said, on one the team's latest additions. "She is quick in recovery and in support, and has a very good left footed service. She can whip in crosses or play entry balls into the forward's feet. She takes set pieces and being captain for her club team shows her leadership capability. We are happy to have Nanna with us and are excited for her to grow in our program."
Elena Lizarralde Arano (pictured right) joins the Golden Eagles from Georgia State, where she was a part of the Panthers in 2025. The incoming sophomore helped lead her high school, Zumaiena, to both the Basque League title and the Basque Championship during the 2024-25 campaign and tallied close to 25 goals throughout her tenure with the team.
"Elena is a very quick winger/attacking midfielder combo," Boyd said. "She is very technical, likes to go 1v1 and combines well. She has good service into the box and fits our style of play. Elena is a player we tried to recruit previously, so we are familiar with her. Now that she is adapted to the US college system, it will be an added bonus for us. We are excited to add Elena to our team."
On the international stage, Lizarralde Arano competed with the U17 and U15 Basque national team.
