Murray State University Athletics
International Racers Enter Final Season
8/17/2011 2:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer
As the Murray State women's soccer team gets underway this weekend, the Racers will be looking to a pair of seniors to lead the way this season. Both have come a long way from home, with Maja Nordahl hailing from Oslo, Norway and Sophie Hargreaves from Leeds, England.
Nordahl was spotted by the MSU coaching staff while playing in the US with her high school team, playing in a soccer cup and against college teams while Hargreaves gained the interest of the Racers from a recruiting agency's website.
For both players, the adjustment to life in the states took some time.
“Obviously, the first thing was the language, just getting used to speaking English,” said Nordahl. “It's a lot easier now but coming as a freshman and not knowing anyone, it was a struggle. You're far away from your family, from your friends, the things that you know. But being with the team, they take you in and make sure that you're fine and take care of you. “
“The hardest thing was being away from home,” said Hargreaves. “The first month I called my family every single day because it was so weird not talking to them. Other than that, the team's so helpful in helping you fit in, especially the American girls, so it wasn't too hard.”
The Racers roster has picked up an international flair over the past few seasons that continues in 2011, with the 20-person squad featuring three players from Ireland, two from England, and one each from China, the Czech Republic, Norway and Trinidad.
“When we look for foreign players, it's ones that have played at a high standard,” head coach Beth Acreman said. “Obviously there's a massive pool of American players we look at. Internationally, I go more specific, looking at the country, looking at what they've done in their development going through the youth programs, and we've been really lucky with the standard of player that we've been able to get in here.
“Both of them are very good tactical players. It was really nice to get a couple of internationals three seasons ago that really understood soccer.”
Hargreaves sits in fifth place in career goals scored entering this season. A two-time All-OVC First Team selection, she has scored 17 times over the past three years, leading the Racers with six goals in both the 2008 and 2010 seasons.
Nordahl has been a constant force for the Racers on defense, starting all 20 games last season and leading the team with 1,897 minutes played. She has scored two goals with two assists in her career, registering one of each in the last two seasons.
Despite the success experienced in winning two Ohio Valley Conference championships, both players are looking to go out on top this season.
“It's my last season so I want to do everything I can do this season and not hold anything back,” said Hargreaves. “I don't want to look back and have any regrets so I need to give everything.”
“As my last season, I want to be a leader on the team and make sure we do well this year,” said Nordahl.
