International student joins LC soccer team this year

This year, the Lewis & Clark women’s soccer team welcomed Julia Markmann ’23, who is the only international player on the team. Markmann was born in Denmark but grew up primarily in Shanghai. Prior to playing for the Pioneers, Markmann was a three-time MVP, four-time Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) champion, two-time captain, two-time China Cup champion and tri-cities champion during her high school career. 

Markmann has been playing soccer since she was a 5-years-old. Growing up, Markmann was a member of a club team and practiced with members of the boys’ varsity soccer team at her high school. 

“It was me and two other girls, so I’m used to playing with guys,” Markmann said. “It’s a nice change that I can play with girls (here).”

In addition to a new cohort, Markmann appreciates the dedication of her team and their shared passion for the sport. 

“Most of the people I played with (in high school) weren’t really serious about (soccer) and it was not their main sport,” Markmann said. “Coming here and playing with a team where all of them are putting one hundred percent effort in is really nice.”

After making her interest in LC clear, she began to send game footage to head soccer coach Jim Tursi from her high school career and was quickly recruited. Tursi was impressed by her ability on the field and willingness to take chances while playing. Since the season began, Markmann has brought the team two goals and has made 16 attempts. 

“Once she is running with the ball she has another gear (that she can kick into) and surprise people,” Tursi said. “She has a sense of scoring goals and is not afraid of striking the ball, the combination of her length, her speed and her ability to take on people sets her apart from other freshman.”

Markmann is admired by her team for her diligence and consistency on the field. 

Kennie Beighle ’21, also on the women’s soccer team, said she enjoys playing with Markmann because she is a dependable player and a positive team member on and off the field. 

“She is so hardworking and she is so reliable, every time she’s just there and you know she can do something great with the ball,” Beighle said. “She is ridiculously fast, she is an amazing shot, she moves and reads the ball really well and she knows how to defend.” 

Though she was born in Denmark, Markmann considers China her home. Markmann attended high school at Shanghai American School in Shanghai. 

Markmann has enjoyed getting to know her team and experiencing the shift between Shanghai and LC.

“A lot of (my teammates) are from California so some of the stuff they say is culturally different,” Markmann said. “But it’s cool playing with people who have different experiences and come from different backgrounds.” 

This season Markmann hopes to continue to play well and have fun with her team. The team’s next home game is Oct. 5 against University of Puget Sound.