VIDEO: Berna Kabakci Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Head coach Simon Duffy was without the services of goalkeeper Berna Kabakci this past week, as the freshman goalkeeper was called up by the North Macedonian national team to compete in their UEFA nations league match this past week.

Kabakci is the fourth Carson-Newman player coached by Simon Duffy to be called up to compete for their national team, joining Jackie Burns, Catarina Realista and Lauren Wade.

"Immensely proud and delighted for Berna," Duffy said. "It is such a great honor and opportunity for a player to be called up to compete with their national team. For it to be a Carson-Newman player, makes it even more special."

The goalkeeper received the news early last week and immediately traveled to Europe to participate with the team in the UEFA match against Bulgaria.

"It was definitely worth it," Kabakci said. "You get to play with women that are older than you and more experienced than you and it gives you the chance to train and learn a lot of things from them."

Kabakci has competed on both the U17 and U19 teams, which ultimately set her up with the opportunity to get the call up.

"You see how dedicated they are not just on the field, but also off the field," Kabakci said. "It's their mentality with everything and how they bring it to the field. But also the younger players, that I played with. They are really good as well. I'm just glad to be part of that team.

It's been an eventful first month of the season for the freshman from Zeddam, Netherlands. She was finally granted eligibility from the NCAA in the second week of September and made her season debut on September 9th. Kabakci impressed in the 1-0 loss to Anderson, she tallied ten saves. It was the most saves by a C-N goalkeeper since Jasmine Rizk's 11 saves against Catawba in 2019.

"I'm so glad to finally play," Kabakci said. "I think this season is promising. We have a very talented team and the staff is great. This season can only get better. If we can keep the mentality and focus we can go very far this season."

Kabacki and the Eagles return to the pitch on Wednesday for a road match with Mars Hill.