Chattanooga Football Club is pleased to announce the return of forward Summer Lanter Hernandez!

She played on the first five CFC Women's teams until the team's hiatus after the 2018 season. 

"We could not be more excited to welcome Summer back to the CFC family," said Head Coach Randy Douglas. "It feels like she never really left because Summer has and always will be such a big part of this club's history."

"We know fans in this area will be just as excited as we are to watch Summer compete in blue again at Finley Stadium," added Douglas. 

"I am excited to be coming back to the CFC Women’s team," said Hernandez. "I had a great experience in the past when I played with CFC and look forward to a great upcoming season."

Summer, formerly Lanter, earned Tennessee's 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year honors her senior year at Soddy Daisy High School before going off to a stellar career at Lee University. There she played and started in 83 of 83 games over the course of 6,295 minutes of play. She scored a total of 56 goals and 10 assists during her collegiate career and was named Gulf Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

Hernandez was named to the WPSL South Region 2021 All-Conference team after being one of the leading forwards in the league.

Summer is known as one of the most important players in the Chattanooga women's game ever. CFC fans will remember her speed, hard work, and nose for goals.

She married CFC Men's team legend Juan Hernandez in 2020. Her younger sister, Anna, was the captain of the CFC Women's team in 2022 and has signed on for a return in the 2023 season.

Hernandez is making an impact on local soccer from the sideline as well, coaching in the Chattanooga FC Academy. 

"I am looking forward to playing with CFC women’s team because I assist for the CFC Academy," she added. "I hope one day the girls that I coach will want to play on the women’s team as well."

Season tickets for the 2023 season Chattanooga FC Men’s team and Chattanooga FC Women’s team are on sale at ChattanoogaFC.com/tickets.