HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Former Lincoln Memorial University men's soccer standout Mario Pinto recently signed a professional contract in his home country of Brazil, inking with EC Noroeste in Bauru, Sao Paulo state.
 
Better known simply as Noroeste, Pinto's new club competes in the Sao Paulo State second division and is located in the Southeast corner of South America's largest country. Noroeste plays its home matches at Alfredo de Castilho stadium, which supports more than 18,000 spectators. Noroeste has won three second division championship (1953, 1970, and 1984) as well as two Sao Paulo State Cups in 2005 and 2012.
 
In just three seasons with the Railsplitters (2011-13), Pinto broke the program's career record for goals scored with 49, while also finishing second in program history in total points with 112, falling just a single point shy of John Payette's all-time record. Pinto is tied for the all-time record in game-winning goals with 13, while his 251 shots is far and away the highest total in program history. His career stat ledger also shows 14 assists and a gaudy .195 shot percentage.
 
"Needless to say I am so proud and happy for Mario," LMU head men's soccer coach Helio D'Anna said. "He definitely proved he can play at a high level in college but I always thought he was able to do well at the next level. I am also happy to hear that Brazil now respects the level of soccer in the USA (as they should), since more and more players like Mario are being looked at there."
 
A three-time All-South Atlantic Conference first team selection, three-time Daktronics All-Southeast Region honoree and three-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region pick, Pinto's 2012 season is among the greatest in the storied history of the LMU men's soccer program. That season, Pinto piled up 21 goals, five assists and four hat tricks to receive SAC and Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year distinctions. He was also named an All-American by both Daktronics and the NSCAA.
 
Prior to Pinto, Felipe Nogueira (2006-08) was the most recent former Railsplitter to sign a professional contract in Brazil. Nogueira, who just completed his professional tenure with Uberlandia SC, started all 25 matches and tallied 11 goals for Lincoln Memorial in 2007, when they finished as the NCAA Division II National Runner-Up.
 
Preseason action is already underway, but Noroeste officially kicks off its season next week. For more information on the club, including the upcoming schedule, click here.