Liana Tarasco Returns to Iowa Women’s Soccer After U20 World Cup Experience

Tarasco, a native of Montreal, Canada, began her soccer career at the age of six and quickly earned recognition from top colleges during her high school years. While initially hesitant about Iowa, she appreciated the personal approach from the coaching staff during her recruitment process. "They cared more about me as a person than as a player, which made Iowa stand out," she said.

In her freshman season, Tarasco faced significant challenges, including a broken wrist sustained during a match that required her to play with a cast for the remainder of the season. Despite this adversity, she was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and earned accolades such as Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Starting her sophomore year strong, Tarasco recorded an assist and a goal in her first two matches before heading to the U20 World Cup. Representing Canada was a profound experience for her, where she felt the pressure to perform for her supporters back home. One of her proudest moments came during a challenging game against Brazil, in which she played an unfamiliar role due to a teammate’s red card.

Tarasco reflected on scoring her first goal in the World Cup, noting she only realized it after her teammates celebrated. "I just started laughing," she recalled, emphasizing how special it was to score with her family present.

Upon returning to Iowa City, Tarasco faced the challenge of rejoining her team after a long trip. Head coach Dean Ward recognized her ability and competitive spirit, stating that she brings both talent and a lively personality to the team. Tarasco's journey continues as she seeks to further her soccer career while making a lasting impact at Iowa.