KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, Malaysia – After concluding her time in college as one of the most decorated players in the history of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer program, former Islanders forward and midfielder
Mai-Lisa Atis will extend her career into the professional ranks, signing a contract to play with Malaysian club Sabah FA.
"My whole life, I knew I wanted to become a professional soccer player, and reaching this goal is something I've dreamed about for as long as I can remember," Atis said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level and experience the culture and people of Malaysia.
To anyone chasing a dream of playing professionally one day: don't let anyone tell you what you can or can't achieve. Stay focused, avoid distractions, and put in the work every single day. Your destiny is in your hands. With enough drive, heart, and belief in yourself, anything is possible. Keep showing up, trust the process, and never stop chasing your dream!"
Atis, a native of Miami, Florida, ended her time on the Island near the top of the team's all-time leaderboards in the most important offensive categories, ranking third in program history in both goals and total points with 17 and 39 respectively. She was named to the All-Southland Conference Second Team in 2024 and 2025 and the SLC All-Academic Team in every season from 2023 to 2025, and she helped lead the Islanders to the postseason in every season of her four-year career.
During her junior campaign in 2024, Atis was one of the most important players on the A&M-Corpus Christi squad that set numerous different program records, including most total wins (10), highest winning percentage (62.5%), most conference points (20), longest unbeaten streak (seven games), and best conference finish (2
nd) among others. This team also advanced to the semifinals of the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Championship on their home field at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Stadium, matching the longest postseason run in school history.
"Everyone at Islanders Soccer and Islanders Athletics is very proud of Mai-Lisa," Islanders head coach
Daniel Clitnovici said. "She has been a standout performer in the college game season after season, so it was inevitable that she would continue playing after her collegiate career was completed. Mai-Lisa is a dedicated professional, and she landed at a top club where I'm convinced she will do very well. We are very excited to follow her through this next chapter."
Sabah FA, which plays its home matches in the city of Kota Kinabalu, is considered one of the strongest clubs in Malaysia National Women's League, having won the league championship in both 2023 and 2025 and finished as the runner up in 2024. They have also represented Malaysia in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League, which was established in 2024. Atis earned her first cap for the club on June 13, scoring two goals in her pro debut and being named Woman of the Match.
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