Former Rollins standout Chynna McGirt recently signed a professional contract to play for Maccabi Emek Hefer in the Israeli Premier League.
A graduate of Rollins in 2021, McGirt was a tremendous player for head coach
Alicia Schuck from 2017-2021. She appeared in 65 games totaling 3,840 minutes, including 46 starts at forward. She tallied 17 goals, nine assists, and 43 points in her career. Six of goals were game winners, including the lone goal in the SSC quarterfinal of the 2018 SSC tournament to push the Tars past Florida Tech.
She helped the Tar to two NCAA South Region postseason berths, as well as the 2019 SSC Regular season championship. In addition to her success on the field, McGirt was also a star in the classroom, making the Athletic Director's Honor Roll in multiple years.
What is the best part about playing pro soccer?
McGirt: The best part about playing professional soccer is being blessed enough to wake up every day and do what I love to do for a living. It has always been my dream to make it to the professional level so the fact that I worked hard and got here is a dream come true. I now must work a lot harder to stay here and I am so excited for the journey.
What is the hardest part about playing pro soccer?
McGirt: The hardest part about being a professional in another country is adjusting to the time difference and the food options. It is a 7-hour time difference so getting a steady sleep schedule took me about two weeks, I was very tired and slept a lot when I first arrived. My appetite was also off because I was sleeping so much in the middle of the day so I would wake up very hungry. Also, the food options here are different, everything is Kosher and there is no pork. The food products are also different, so grocery shopping is a challenge, but I have been getting better at identifying foods and snacks I enjoy.
What is your role on the team?
McGirt: I was signed for half a season so about 6 months. Their two forwards both got hurt and they needed me right away. I got the call on a Saturday evening, and I was put on a plane Sunday afternoon for a Monday morning practice. I am playing the 9 or center forward for the team. I am starting to form my leadership role within the team they are basing a lot of the attacks and plays around me since I am the center forward and since I am playing catch up within a team that has already been playing together for 6 months so I have to come in and be open minded and work hard to prove to myself I can do it and also prove to them I was brought here for a reason. My team has a possessive style of play, we move the ball a lot from one side to the other in order to move ourselves up the field. We are not necessarily direct but more of a pass, pass, pass and when you see an opportunity to go then we go.
How did your experience at Rollins help you?
McGirt: My Rollins experience prepared me in so many ways for my professional career. We were always held to a standard and if we didn't meet that standard, we were given the tools to get there. The different rosters every season also helped me to be able to adjust more and build bonds with girls from different walks of life. Therefore, joining a whole brand-new team sounds very intimidating, but I was more than prepared to meet everyone. I also always think of Alicia when we are playing small-sided games inside the box or even doing shooting drills screaming in the background "precision finishing!!!". I was held to a great standard as a forward at Rollins, my job was the create and score goals. I have that same job over here and I always revert to drills or even talks I have had with the Rollins staff to keep myself accountable & perform well. I also had countless teammates that would push me in practices as Rollins to be and do better, I have been able to create friendships that will last a long time with people who believed in me on and off the field.
What advice do you have for future Rollins women's soccer players?
McGirt: Be brave, patient & hold yourself accountable . That would be my biggest advice to any young Rollins players who also want to become professional. It is very much a waiting game when it comes to finding a team. There were many days I would not hear any updates from my agency and those days were emotionally draining. After so long of not hearing updates it's easy to give up or doubt yourself but I always held myself accountable and made sure I got up every day and did my training, even when I absolutely did not want to do anything. Another hurdle is that moving to an entirely new country can be intimidating but believing in yourself and your abilities is so important. I uprooted my entire life within 24 hours, and I know someone else can do the same if they really want it. Never give up on yourself even if those around you doubt you, cut them out your circle and only surround yourself with those who believe in you just as much as you do.
