Armstrong grew up in Frisco, Texas, north of Dallas, and began playing soccer at age three.[2] She attended Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, for one year before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.[3] Before her junior year, she committed to play college soccer for North Carolina.[4] The same summer, she was hospitalized with anemia and thought she might have to medically retire.[5] She returned to the field back home with FC Dallas, earning ECNL All-American honors.[6] She also trained with the NWSL's Racing Louisville as a preseason invitee.[7] With several North Carolina commits leaving for the NWSL, she reclassified to graduate early and begin college at age 17.[8]
Armstrong played and started in 21 games and scored 1 goal for the North Carolina Tar Heels as a freshman in 2024.[3] She contributed to a 19–2 record in games she played, while the team went 3–3 when she was away at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.[9] In the ACC tournament semifinals, she marked her return from the World Cup with a header goal and a crucial goal-line clearance in a 2–1 come-from-behind win over No. 1–ranked rivalsDuke.[10] In the NCAA tournament, she played every minute after the first round (when several starters were rested) and helped the team concede just one goal in six games.[3] North Carolina won 1–0 against Wake Forest in the final to win their record 23rd national title and first since 2012.[11] Armstrong garnered second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC recognition.[3]TopDrawerSoccer said she "casually delivered one of the best defensive campaigns college soccer has seen from a freshman".[9] After the season, she decided to forgo her remaining college eligibility and join the NWSL.[12]
Club career
San Diego Wave FC announced on January 16, 2025, that they had signed Armstrong to her first professional contract on a three-year deal.[13] The 17-year-old was viewed as a possible successor to Naomi Girma, who left for Chelsea ten days later.[14]Sports Illustrated ranked Armstrong as the top NWSL prospect in her rookie class.[15] She made her professional debut with a stoppage-time appearance in the season-opening 1–1 draw with Angel City FC on March 16.[16]
On April 12, Armstrong made her first professional start and won praise for helping shut down MVPTemwa Chawinga despite the 2–0 scoreline for the Kansas City Current.[17] After starting again in a 4–1 win over Racing Louisville the following week, she became a regular starter in central defense under head coach Jonas Eidevall.[18] In the next game, she joined teammates Kimmi Ascanio and Melanie Barcenas as the first 17-year-old trio to start an NWSL game, winning 3–0 against the Chicago Stars.[19] On May 4, she scored her first professional goal with a stoppage-time winning header in a 2–1 home win over Bay FC.[18] She was named to the NWSL Team of the Month after recording a goal and an assist in May, becoming the youngest player to win the honor.[18]
Armstrong played in 23 regular-season games, starting 18, and scored 1 goal over 1,600 minutes as a rookie, contributing to a sixth-place finish for San Diego.[20] In the playoff quarterfinals, she came on as an extra-time substitute and forced a point-blank save from Mackenzie Arnold, but it was not enough as the Wave lost 1–0 to the Portland Thorns.[21]
Armstrong is the daughter of Karla Nunn and has two older brothers.[3] Her mother played college soccer for Kentucky.[3] Armstrong is a Christian and places importance on the number three: "Trinity means three ... that's really big for my faith: Father, Son, Holy Spirit".[2] Her nickname is "T3".[25]
Career statistics
Club
As of November 23, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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