Women's Soccer Standout Paoletti Signs With ÍA Akranes FC In Iceland

MIDLAND, MICH. – Former Northwood University women's soccer standout Juliana Paoletti has signed a contract with the ÍA Akranes FC for the 2024 season. Íþróttabandalag Akraness (abbreviated ÍA) is an Icelandic sports club founded in 1946 and based in the town of Akranes, west Iceland.

Paoletti led Northwood's historic 2023 season in goals (10) and points (22), and within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), she was first in shots (70), second in goals, and second in points. She finishes fourth in program history in points (87) and goals (38) and is tied for most matches played in a career (72) also held by current assistant coach Savannah Wallace.

The Monroe, Mich. native is the first women's soccer player in program history to sign a professional contract. She also finished as a First Team All-G-MAC and an All-Region honoree by the United Soccer Coaches (Second Team) and DII Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) (First Team).  

ÍA Akranes FC competes in the Besta deild kvenna league which is the top-tier women's football league in Iceland. It features 10 teams that play a double round robin to decide the champion, which qualifies for a spot in the United European Football Association (UEFA) Women's Champions League.