Forward for the US Women’s national soccer team and the Western New York Flash in the National Women’s Soccer League, Abby Wambach, married her longtime girlfriend in a private ceremony in Hawaii this past weekend, as first reported by TMZ.

Wambach and now wife, Sarah Huffman, have had a longstanding professional and personal relationship as teammates. The couple first played together with the Washington Freedom in the Women’s Professional Soccer league in 2009. Both then went on to play with magicJack, and now Wambach and Huffman are both members of the Elma, NY based Western New York Flash.

Wambach has gained international recognition since she led the US women’s national team to Olympic gold in 2012. She has become known for her headers during matches, even becoming the center of an ESPN “Storied” documentary entitled Abby Head On.

The couple’s ceremony in Hawaii was attended by a select few, including US soccer teammates, Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux. Activities included physical activities such as hiking, cliff-diving, and a boat ride.

Earlier this year, Wambach was named the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award, becoming the first US player to win the award since Mia Hamm. Alex Morgan, Wambach’s national teammate, placed second in voting.

This June, Wambach became the highest scoring international soccer player ever, scoring her 160th goal in a friendly against South Korea. With 4 goals in one game, Wambach surpassed Hamm for the record. Even more impressive, Wambach reached 158 goals in 68 fewer matches than it took Hamm.

The sports world has yet to catch up with contemporary culture in its views toward homosexual athletes, as evidence by the fact that Jason Collins has yet to be signed by an NBA team after revealing his sexuality (and the fact that the story was such a big deal). Yet, it’s nice to see such a success story coming from the world of women’s soccer. Hopefully men’s athletics can use the marriage of Wambach and Huffman, current teammates, as a model as to how same-sex relationships should be handled in professional sports – just like any other relationship.

Image via YouTube