Sarah Elaine Griffith Bio
Sarah Elaine Griffith is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for USL Super League club Lexington SC. She played college soccer for the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round of the 2022 NWSL Draft. Standing 5 ft 4 in tall, Griffith is recognized for her scoring touch and composure in front of goal, qualities that have defined her ascent from Big Ten standout to title-winning professional.
After beginning her professional career with the Chicago Red Stars and a developmental loan to Newcastle Jets in Australia, Griffith added a second loan with Calgary Wild FC before joining Lexington SC in 2025. With Lexington, she helped the club capture the USL Super League double in her first season and re-signed to remain part of the team’s long-term project.
Early Life and Background
Sarah Elaine Griffith was born on April 30, 1999, in Naperville, Illinois, United States, to parents Peter and Melissa Griffith. She was raised alongside an older brother, Noah, who played college soccer for Illinois Tech, and a younger brother, Aaron, giving her a competitive sporting environment from an early age. Growing up in the Naperville area, Griffith developed a familiarity with the game well before high school, an exposure that helped shape her future in the sport.
She attended Waubonsie Valley High School, where she served as a ball girl for the school’s girls’ soccer team before eventually graduating. Her early experiences on the touchline and within the local soccer community laid the groundwork for the attacking instincts that would later define her career. By the time she finished high school, Griffith had emerged as one of the region’s most promising young forwards.
Path to Professional Soccer
Griffith initially committed to play college soccer at Illinois State, but later chose to reopen her recruitment and instead signed with Purdue University. She spent four seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers from 2017 to 2021, growing into one of the most productive attackers in the program. Her college career was interrupted when, in 2018, she was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and underwent spinal surgery, forcing her to redshirt the season and recover before returning to the field.
She scored her first collegiate goal on August 27, 2017, against Indiana State, signaling her arrival as a college scorer. By her senior year, she had become a centerpiece of the Boilermakers’ attack and was named Big Ten Forward of the Year and All-Big Ten first team for the 2021 season. She also earned United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team honors and set a Purdue single-season record with 16 goals. As a student, Griffith majored in psychological sciences at Purdue University.
Sarah Elaine Griffith Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
During her time with the Purdue Boilermakers, Griffith established herself as a dangerous goal-scorer and a leader on the field. Her first collegiate goal against Indiana State in August 2017 began a scoring run that continued across multiple seasons, even as she battled back from spinal surgery in 2018. By the 2020–21 season, she was named to the All-Big Ten Conference second team, setting the stage for a record-breaking senior campaign.
Her 2021 season became the defining chapter of her college career. On August 19, 2021, she scored a goal against Kentucky that was featured on SportsCenter, and on August 29, 2021, she recorded a hat-trick against Ball State. She finished the year as Big Ten Forward of the Year, an All-Big Ten first team selection, and a United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team honoree, while also breaking the Purdue single-season goals record with 16 tallies.
Chicago Stars Era (2022–2025)
In December 2021, Griffith was selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round of the 2022 NWSL Draft, marking her entry into professional soccer. She made her NWSL regular-season debut on April 30, 2022, playing 80 minutes against Racing Louisville FC, and she scored her first goal for the club on May 22, 2022, against Orlando Pride. A late stoppage-time goal against North Carolina Courage on July 10, 2022, further announced her arrival as a clutch finisher for Chicago.
On November 1, 2022, Griffith was sent on loan to Newcastle Jets for the 2022–23 A-League Women season, where she quickly adapted to the Australian league. On November 26, 2022, she scored a hat-trick against Western Sydney Wanderers, leading Newcastle to a 4–2 victory. She returned from her loan in mid-February 2023 to prepare for the 2023 NWSL season. On March 27, 2025, she was loaned to Calgary Wild FC, and on April 16, 2025, she started in the league’s inaugural game, a 1–0 loss to Vancouver Rise FC.
Lexington SC Era (2025–Present)
In August 2025, Griffith signed with USL Super League club Lexington SC ahead of the league’s second season, beginning a new chapter in her career. She made her club debut that month, starting in Lexington’s season-opening 3–3 draw with Fort Lauderdale United. On October 16, she scored her first goals for the club, netting twice in a 5–1 win over the same opponents, immediately establishing herself as a central attacking figure.
She finished her first season with 5 goals in 27 games as Lexington, who had finished bottom of the table the previous season, won the Players’ Shield with the best record in the league. In the playoff semifinals, she scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win over the Dallas Trinity, and Lexington won 3–1 over the Carolina Ascent in the final, becoming the first team to complete the league double. In February 2026, she re-signed with Lexington until the summer of 2027, before later agreeing to a new one-year contract extension that keeps her at the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Griffith is best known for her clinical finishing in the penalty area, her ability to find space in tight moments, and her composure in stoppage time. Her movement off the ball and willingness to make late runs into the box have allowed her to produce key goals at both the college and professional levels, while her hat-tricks against Ball State and Western Sydney Wanderers showcase her capacity to take over a match in short order.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments, Griffith’s SportsCenter-featured goal against Kentucky in August 2021 and her hat-trick against Ball State later that month stand out from her college years. In the professional ranks, her stoppage-time goal against North Carolina Courage in 2022, her hat-trick for Newcastle Jets, and her opening playoff goal for Lexington in 2025 highlight a career built on timely, match-shifting contributions.
Sarah Elaine Griffith Career Wins
Sarah Elaine Griffith has built a winning résumé that spans the college game, the NWSL, Australia’s A-League Women, and the USL Super League. With Lexington SC, she helped the club complete the USL Super League double, winning both the Players’ Shield and the league championship in her first season. She also contributed meaningfully during her loan spells with Newcastle Jets and Calgary Wild FC, establishing herself as a reliable scorer in multiple leagues.
Lexington SC Highlights
During the 2025 USL Super League season, Griffith scored 5 goals in 27 games and played a central role in Lexington’s historic double. She opened the scoring in the playoff semifinal against the Dallas Trinity in a 2–0 win and helped Lexington defeat the Carolina Ascent 3–1 in the final. Her re-signing through 2027, followed by an additional one-year extension, reflects her importance to the club’s continued ambitions.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her time with Lexington, Griffith recorded a hat-trick for Newcastle Jets against Western Sydney Wanderers during the 2022–23 A-League Women season, helping her loan club to a 4–2 victory. At the college level, she set a Purdue single-season record with 16 goals in 2021 and earned Big Ten Forward of the Year, All-Big Ten first team, and United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team honors.
Sarah Elaine Griffith Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Sarah Elaine Griffith was born to parents Peter and Melissa and raised in Naperville, Illinois, alongside her siblings. Her older brother, Noah, played college soccer for Illinois Tech, while her younger brother, Aaron, also grew up around the sport. The family’s connection to soccer helped shape Griffith’s early development and reinforced her competitive approach to the game.
Personal Life
Griffith is known to keep much of her personal life private, with no publicly confirmed spouse or children. She majored in psychological sciences during her time at Purdue University, reflecting an academic interest that complements her professional soccer career. She continues to be active on social media, where she shares updates about her career and her work with Lexington SC.
2025 Season Performance
Sarah Elaine Griffith’s 2025 season marked a turning point in her professional career, beginning with a loan to Calgary Wild FC and culminating in a championship run with Lexington SC. She started in Calgary’s inaugural NSL match on April 16, 2025, a 1–0 loss to Vancouver Rise FC, before transitioning to the USL Super League in August 2025. Her move to Lexington offered a fresh opportunity to lead a young, ambitious attack.
Across 27 appearances for Lexington, she scored 5 goals, with her first strikes for the club coming in a 5–1 win over Fort Lauderdale United on October 16. She also delivered in the biggest moments, opening the scoring in the playoff semifinal against the Dallas Trinity in a 2–0 victory. Lexington’s Players’ Shield title and championship double cemented the season as one of the most successful in club history.
Heading into 2026, Griffith’s re-signing and subsequent one-year contract extension underline her role as a cornerstone of Lexington’s project. With her scoring touch, experience across multiple leagues, and proven ability to deliver in decisive moments, she remains central to Lexington’s push to defend their USL Super League crown and continue building a sustained contender.