| Giovanna DeMarco | |
| Full Name: | Giovanna Christina DeMarco[1] |
| Currentclub: | Carolina Ascent |
| Clubnumber: | 3 |
| Years1: | 2023 |
| Clubs1: | San Diego Wave |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Clubs2: | Carolina Ascent |
| Years2: | 2024– |
| Caps2: | 12 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | December 1, 2024 |
| Height: | 5 ft 6 in[2] |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Nationalteam1: | United States U-18 |
| Nationalteam2: | United States U-19 |
| Youthclubs1: | Match Fit Academy ECNL |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2022 |
| College1: | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
| Collegecaps1: | 74 |
| Collegegoals1: | 11 |
| Birth Date: | 9 July 1999[3] |
Giovanna Christina DeMarco is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Carolina Ascent FC in the USL Super League. DeMarco previously played college soccer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and professionally for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
DeMarco grew up in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania. She attended William Penn Charter School, where she played varsity soccer from 8th grade to her senior year of high school. With Penn Charter, DeMarco made All-State honors and left as the all-time point leader at the school.[4] [5] She also played for ECNL club Match Fit Academy in her youth.[6]
After making a verbal commitment in 2017, DeMarco played collegiately for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2018 to 2022. She scored her first college goal on August 26, 2018, in a 3–2 victory over Charleston.[7] DeMarco became a team captain for Wake Forest at the start of her junior year and held on to the role through her remaining three seasons of college.[8] [9] In her final year with the Demon Deacons, DeMarco operated as a midfielder and a forward, scoring four goals and recording two assists.[10] Throughout her time at Wake Forest, DeMarco earned three All-ACC Academic Team honors and was named to the 2018 ACC All-Freshman Team.[11] She finished her collegiate career with 74 appearances and 11 goals under her belt.[12]
In January 2023, DeMarco was selected in the 4th round of the 2023 NWSL Draft by San Diego Wave FC.[13] After training with the Wave during preseason, DeMarco signed a one-year contract with the club.[14] [15] She made her professional debut and first start on May 31, 2023, playing 90 minutes in a 3–0 NWSL Challenge Cup defeat to OL Reign.[16] [17] She only played once more in 2023, starting in a 2–1 loss against Angel City FC.[18] DeMarco did not make any regular season appearances in her rookie season as the Wave topped the table, winning the NWSL Shield.[19] At the end of the season, DeMarco was among a set of Wave players who were out of contract.[20] The Wave later released a social media farewell post thanking DeMarco and wishing her well in the future.[21]
After leaving San Diego, DeMarco spent time training with the North Carolina Courage as a non-roster invitee during 2024 preseason.[22] While she did not sign a contract with the Courage, DeMarco's performances in preseason earned her a spot on the NC Courage squad for The Soccer Tournament (TST), a 7v7 tournament in Cary, North Carolina.[23] [24] [25] The Courage advanced to the tournament final before being defeated by the US Women.[26] [27]
On June 19, 2024, DeMarco joined USL Super League club Carolina Ascent FC as the team's inaugural signing.[28] She was part of the starting lineup that faced off against DC Power FC in the team's first-ever match, winning the game 1–0.[29] [30]
DeMarco has represented the United States at youth level on the U-18 and U19 youth national teams. In February 2018, she was called up to the U-18 team to participate in the Women’s U-19 La Manga 12 Nations Tournament.[31] [32]
| Season | League | Cup | Playoffs | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| San Diego Wave FC | 2023 | NWSL | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Carolina Ascent FC | 2024–25 | USL Super League | 12 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |||