Katie Toney hasn’t lost her scoring touch at Tennessee Tech. The soccer star from Warren County has wasted no time busting into the Golden Eagle lineup and has already started a new goal count with her new team.

Toney scored her first career goal Aug. 28 against Western Kentucky, helping the Golden Eagles grab a big 1-1 tie and stay unbeaten during an early season home stand. In typical Toney fashion, her goal was all about hustle and never giving up on a scoring chance.

“That’s just Katie, she’s a 100%, get after it kind of a player,” said Golden Eagle head coach Steve Springthorpe in a Tech press release. “I mean she battled for that goal. Once she turned the corner, she had an opportunity and just ran through things to find a way to capitalize. I’m excited for her to get that goal in that sort of situation.”

Warren County fans were treated to Toney’s unlimited energy and amazing scoring ability for the last four years. When she left the Lady Pioneer program last fall, she did so as the career scoring leader. Toney’s 113 goals are the most ever in Warren County and helped her grab the attention of the Division 1 school just 40 miles away.

Getting into the starting lineup is never easy at the D-1 level, especially for a freshman, but Toney has shown for years she’s no typical player once she laces up her cleats. Her all-out effort has been a big boost to Tennessee Tech, which has started the season 1-3-2. 

Toney has been in the starting lineup in all six games, showing off her speed and doing all the little things necessary to keep her team in contention.

One of her earliest highlights of the year came on an opening kickoff. As soon as her opponent played it back, Toney took off, pressuring the ball and getting a quick turnover. Tech got a shooting situation off the play just seconds into the game, showing the kind of grit and determination Toney can bring to the lineup.

Her focus has been on becoming a more well-rounded player at the college level after having to carry the scoring burden for years. Adding a defensive presence in the midfield to her scoring repertoire at the top of the attack is something Toney takes very serious.

Fans can be on the lookout for Toney and the Golden Eagles this week. Tennessee Tech is scheduled to face in-state rival MTSU in Murfreesboro Thursday (7 p.m.) before taking on UAB Saturday at home (1 p.m.). It probably won’t take long to notice No. 6 – she has a habit of making plays early and often.