Goalkeeper spent parts of three seasons with Triumph
Greenville Triumph Soccer Club goalkeeper Ben Hale is retiring from professional soccer, Hale and the club announced Wednesday. Hale, who has battled injuries across the last two seasons, signed with the club in 2021 after graduating from Furman University. The goalkeeper plans to transition from his playing career to a job with Lockheed Martin Space.
“I’m excited for Ben and his future,” said head coach and sporting director John Harkes. “He’s been a pleasure to work with and will be missed. Ben has suffered through injuries and has always continued to be a good pro. We wish him all the best.”
Hale was signed early in the 2021 season to serve as the number three keeper behind Triumph standouts Dallas Jaye and Paul Christensen, before being elevated to backup keeper for 2022. He appeared in multiple preseason matches in 2022 and 2023, but never made a regular-season appearance for the Triumph. Hale missed much of the 2022 season due to injury and was competing for the starting goalkeeper job before reinjuring himself in the lead-up to Greenville’s home opener this season.
A native of Frisco, Texas, Hale started 54 matches in his collegiate career, leading Furman to a Southern Conference Tournament Title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. He earned SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-SoCon accolades during the season. He compiled 4,795 minutes at Furman with a 1.03 goals-against average. Hale was also named SoCon Player of the Year in 2021. Prior to college, Hale was a member of the United States U-19 National Team and the FC Dallas Academy.
Hale’s retirement leaves two keepers in the mix for the Triumph. Jared Mazzola, who signed with the club after Hale’s injury in 2022, has started all eight of Greenville’s matches in 2023. Backup keeper Gunther Rankenburg, a rookie, signed with the team just after the club’s March 25th opening match.
