Former Titan Begins Professional Soccer Career With Torrent
UW-Oshkosh alumna Robyn Elliott hung up her No. 4 soccer uniform and stored away her cleats nearly 15 months ago after a stellar four-year career with the Titans. The Brookfield native, who graduated with a journalism degree in spring 2017, shifted her focus instead to securing a job in the marketing and communications field.
That was until she heard the Milwaukee Torrent was adding a professional women's team that would be part of the Women's Premiere Soccer League. The Torrent also would become the highest level of soccer for women in the state of Wisconsin.
Determined to continue her post-college soccer career, Elliott put her cleats back on and participated in tryouts last fall.
"I truly believe it doesn't matter what division you played in, if you work hard and if you want it, you can achieve anything you set your mind to," Elliott said.
Elliott officially made the Torrent roster in mid-November.
"When your college career is done, it's so hard to be done," said UW-Oshkosh head women's soccer coach Erin Coppernoll. "This opportunity to continue to play and grow in the game with the Milwaukee Torrent is awesome, and I'm so happy that Robyn is able to be a part of it."
After months of training, practice and promotional events, Elliott and the Milwaukee Torrent made history Monday (May 14) with its first game. Elliott not only was in the starting lineup for the Torrent's 1-0 history-making victory over North Shore United at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, but she also played nearly 75 minutes and wore the captain's armband.
"It was awesome to be back on the field," Elliott said. "It feels so natural to be out there – feels like where I belong."
Coppernoll, entering her 15th year at the helm of the UW-Oshkosh program, was ecstatic to be in attendance to support Elliott and the Torrent on the monumental day.
"It was probably one of the coolest things to see as a coach. To sit in the stands and see a former player continue on with her dreams – it was powerful," said Coppernoll.
Elliott is the only four-time all-region player in UW-Oshkosh history. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named Elliott to the All-North Region Second Team in 2013, 2015 and 2016, and to the Third Team in 2014.
During her four seasons, Elliott helped the Titans to a 47-29-7 record with two NCAA postseason appearances and the program's first WIAC title in 2015.
Elliott started each of UW-Oshkosh's 83 games at midfielder from 2013-16. The Hamilton High School graduate ranks fourth in UW-Oshkosh history with 63 points and 23 goals, and sixth with 17 assists.
"Robyn is one of the greatest soccer players to come through UW-Oshkosh and to see her name on the back of that No. 4 Torrent uniform was truly fulfilling," Coppernoll said. "I think it's also a great motivator for others who play at our level. When the curtain is called on your college career, there are now and can be other playing opportunities, and Robyn has set that example for those that follow."