SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Shelbyville Central’s star defensive midfielder, Mary Grace Marshall, officially signed with Bryan College on Jan. 20 to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level.

“Obviously, I have to start with thanking my mom [Teresa],” Marshall said, “She’s my number one fan. She dealt with all the travel when I played in Murfreesboro and Franklin driving me back and forth so many times, and she loves it. She loves the game – honestly she probably enjoys watching soccer more than I do and that’s saying a lot. My family as a whole, as well as all the soccer girls too. They’re one of my biggest support systems as well. Also, just about every coach that I’ve had. Most coaches I’ve had have played a huge role in my soccer career and showed me what I do and what I don’t want. That helped me pick out my next coach.”

Marshall, who goes by MG, said she was still playing NPL matches even after her high school career came to an end in late-October, and she actually reached out to the head coach, Jake Warren, who had just completed his first season at Bryan College.

“I was very excited to sign with Bryan [College], it was hitting me how real it was,” said Marshall, “It kind of came about at the last minute. I reached out a few months ago, we scheduled a tour immediately, he [Jake Warren] came and watched me play, and right when I went to campus and met the coach, I felt that feeling that I know people talk about. I fell in love with the campus and the staff.” 

“I’ve known I’ve wanted to play in college since I was tiny. I reached out to multiple schools and had some offers, but they didn’t quite feel right. Getting the one that felt just right for me was my main goal at that point,” she said.

Marshall, who helped lead Shelbyville Central to an 11-4-1 record with an appearance in the regional semifinal in 2025, says her recruiting process began after the Eaglettes’ season ended on Oct. 21 at Franklin, and her decision ultimately came down to two Tennessee schools: Cumberland University in Lebanon and Bryan College in Dayton, about a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from Shelbyville due east. 

“Once I found out about Bryan, my decision was down to between them and Cumberland,” said Marshall, “D2 or NAIA was going to be my perfect fit because I want to focus on my studies while playing competitive soccer. I had no idea before I went and toured them, but then I saw that Bryan has an amazing exercise science program. Physical therapy has always been something I was interested in.”

The Eaglettes’ star leaves Shelbyville Central with a decorated career. Over her four seasons, Marshall was named to the All-District 5-AAA second team twice, the All-District 5-AAA first team once, the All-District 9-AAA first team once, and she won the District 9-AAA Defensive Player of the Year in her senior season. She was also voted as the team’s defensive player of the year in both her junior and senior seasons, and she was voted as the recipient of the Eaglette Award for her sophomore season in 2023.

Marshall also has a special relationship with her now former head coach, Casey Curry. Curry took the job before Marshall’s freshman season in 2022, and promptly led the Eaglettes to a magical run to the Class AAA state-sectional round after finishing as both the District and Region runner-up.

“Freshman year, I actually got my starting spot because a girl got a concussion, and she [Coach Curry] threw me on the outside of our backline,” Marshall recalled, “I had never touched defense in my life before, and I ended up having a pretty good season despite being terrified almost the entire time. At the end of the season, after trying to do the best that I could and after the championship game, I got announced for second-team All-District and I was shocked. I’m still shaking remembering how I felt about it after that game because I couldn’t believe it.” 

After a two-year hiatus from the region tournament, Curry and Marshall helped lead the Eaglettes to a 14-3-1 record, finishing as the District 9-AAA runner-up to Franklin County before bowing out at the eventual state runners-up, Franklin, in the Region 5-AAA semifinals.

“MG’s class was my first class here, and we’ve learned a lot and grown together throughout the last four years,” Curry said, “It’s a bittersweet moment. I’ve known her since she was little, I’ve worked with her mom, I’ve done her hair, and just watching her along with her whole class grow up as soccer players and as people…I’m excited to see her do great at Bryan [College].”

To Marshall’s credit, she is extremely excited to take on the challenge at the next level, especially if that includes growing her level of comfort in her positioning on the field.

“I’ve heard everything about it [the jump in skill and speed in college], and I’m looking forward to just seeing how the next level truly is while still growing as a soccer player because I can grow more every day,” Marshall said, “I want to reach the highest level I possibly can. That’s my goal. I’m one of those people where even when I turn 40, I’m still playing in an adult league. I just want to test myself everyday and I just love the sport and want to keep growing in it. Add on the Christian base, like all the girls were so supportive. I had a handful of them – girls I have never met before – reach out on social media telling me how excited they were to meet me and saying congratulations.”

“Off the field, I’m looking to expand my knowledge and love of God because my Christian walk is a big reason why I chose this school. On the field, just continuing to grow as a player, and learning the speed of college soccer. It’ll be faster and I won’t be used to it at first, so just getting that down, forming bonds with my teammates, just going in and building even more as a person,” she said.

Much like her freshman year at Shelbyville Central, Marshall could end up playing a big role for the rebuilding Lions this fall after Bryan College finished 4-12-1 in 2025.

“On this team [Bryan College], transitioning from defense into attack is something that they needed help with so, obviously, as a defensive mid, I love making those connecting passes to help spring the attack,” Marshall said, “Coach Warren even said that he might enjoy playing me as an attacking mid as well. I’m hoping just to be able to have a huge impact my Freshman year. Even if it doesn’t go exactly how I want it to, I just want to keep getting better.”

If her four years in high school says anything, Marshall will likely find her footing sooner than both she and her support system may expect. A good talent with a solid first touch and high levels of composure, the soon-to-be-former Eaglette promises to be a noteworthy contributor in Bryan College’s 2026 recruiting class. 

“I just have to say a big thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout my whole journey so far,” Marshall concluded, “I’m extremely excited to continue on to the next level.”

Bryan College’s season begins in late-August, and the schedule typically is released in late-spring.