ROCHESTER, Michigan – The Golden Grizzlies add a key player to their roster, announcing the signing of redshirt freshman Thai Qualich.

Qualich comes to Rochester via the University of Florida, where she spent the 2023 season. Before her time in the SEC, one of the country’s top soccer leagues, Qualich was touted as one of the best high school players in the country. At the club level, she helped Real Colorado win the 2022 ECNL U17 national title. The Largo, Florida native also played for the U.S. U15 and U17 national teams, establishing herself as a top player in the country.

While at Columbine High School (2021-22), she scored 16 goals with 19 assists in two seasons and led her team to the 2022 High School Activities Association 5A semifinals, earning her honorable mention to the Colorado High School Soccer Coaches 5A All-State and Jefferson County League All-Conference Team status.

I am very excited to welcome Thai! Her talent on the field is exceptional. She comes from an elite background, spent a lot of time with the U15 and U17 U.S. Youth National Teams and won an ECNL National Championship with Real Colorado before starting her college career in the SEC at the University of Florida,” said Oakland head coach Devin Zvosec. “Coming out of high school, she was recognized as one of the top youth soccer players in the United States. I am excited to have Thai join our attack, help us build our program into a high-performance team and raise the standards for women’s soccer in Oakland.”

Qualich is a four-star player according to TopDrawer Soccer and is expected to make an immediate impact. He is slated to play for the Golden Grizzlies in the 2024 season, as the team plans to return to the Horizon League tournament.