Hannah McLaughlin


Hannah McLaughlin is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Icelandic club Grindavík/Njarðvíkur of the Besta deild kvenna. She played college soccer for the Vanderbilt Commodores, earning List of [NCAA Division I women's soccer First-Team All-America teams|first-team All-American] honors in 2025.

Early life

McLaughlin grew up in Cumming, Georgia. Growing up playing midfielder, she played club soccer for NASA Tophat in the Girls Academy, serving as team captain for four years. She committed to Vanderbilt before her junior year. She transferred to Denmark [High School |Denmark High School] in Alpharetta, Georgia, for her senior year, joining her sister on the soccer team. That season in 2022, she scored a school record 39 goals, led the team to a 19–1 record and the GHSA 7A state quarterfinals, and was named the Region 6 7A Player of the Year.

College career

McLaughlin played in all 21 games, starting 15, as a defensive midfielder for the Vanderbilt Commodores in her freshman year in 2022. She also scored 3 goals and was named to the Southeastern Conference all-freshman team. She moved to center back as a sophomore in 2023, starting all 18 games, scoring 2 goals, and earning second-team All-SEC honors. In her junior year in 2024, she was named first-team All-SEC and started 19 games, missing two games in which her sister started in her place. Vanderbilt reached the 2024 NCAA [Division I women's soccer tournament|NCAA tournament] third round for the first time after eliminating defending champions Florida State on penalties, though McLaughlin had hers saved. She started all 24 games beside her sister in her senior year in 2025, allowing just 14 goals over the season. She helped the Commodores win their fourth SEC women's soccer tournament|SEC tournament] title, defeating LSU on penalties in the final, though hers was saved. Vanderbilt then recorded NCAA tournament milestones as the team earned a one seed and reached the quarterfinals. McLaughlin was named first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American alongside teammate Sydney Watts.

Club career

In January 2026, McLaughlin signed her first professional contract with newly promoted Icelandic club Grindavík/Njarðvíkur.

Personal life

McLaughlin has three siblings including a younger sister, Mary Beth, who played with her at Vanderbilt for two seasons. Her father played football and baseball at Furman University, and her mother played basketball at Bethany College in West Virginia and later competed in triathlons.

Honors and awards

Vanderbilt Commodores
Individual