Haavik Excited to Begin Pro Career in Staad

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State soccer player Helene Haavik will realize a lifelong goal his month when she joins the FC Staad team in Nationalliga A, the top professional league in Switzerland.

She leaves the United States on Monday and will join the side for the final two months of the season.

"I am super excited," the personable 23-year-old forward from Haugesund, Norway, said Wednesday. "It should be really fun to challenge myself, playing with a new team and some older players."

"Playing professionally was always a dream," she added. "It started becoming realistic when I played for the [junior] Norwegian nationals teams. I was told, 'If you really want this, you can get it done. You can reach your dreams, you have the skill level to adjust as you go, and adjust as a player.'"

Players on the Staad team range between 18 and 30 years old. She and defender Brooke Hendrix, a former standout at Southern Mississippi from Sharpsburg, Ga., are the only two internationals; the other players are Swiss.

"[Hendrix] said the level of play is good, the team is fun, nice and has good players, and that I will be a good player who can contribute," Haavik said.

"She watched my highlight video and said my creativity, my speed up top and my fire will be a good piece to add to the group. I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team."

A versatile player who was comfortable up top or on the backline with the Beavers, Haavik started 69 of the 77 games she appeared in over a four-year career. She led the 2016 Beavers with six goals, and scored eight overall.

She expects to play attacking right wing for Staad.

"I told the coach if he needed me anywhere else, I am willing to play there, as long as you give me time to adjust," Haavik said. "It takes time to learn a new position."

"Linus [OSU head coach Linus Rhode] was aware of that and always gave me the opportunity and the time to adjust when he moved me around."

Rhode said Haavik brought "a fire" to the Beavers with her intensity and passion for soccer.

"She's a fierce competitor, [and provided] great energy for the group," Rhode said. "She played with tremendous pace, could open up the game, she could strike a ball fantastically, whether crossing or shooting, with great power."

"Her crossing and heading ability were outstanding. She scored a lot for goals for us her senior year. She finished on a great note and that made a huge impact."

Haavik has already played extensively in Europe, on national and club teams. She was a member of the U16, U17, and U19 Norwegian National Teams, each of which advanced to the European Championships, and played for the Avaldsnes Idretts Lag and Klepp Elite club programs.

Norway's national team for the 2017 UEFA Women's EURO 2017 finals: Netherlands has already been selected. However, Haavik said she would love to return to the Gresshoppene (the Grasshoppers) for the next cycle of tournaments.

"It's always a goal," she said. "I know there is a long ways to go, and I need to build my name and my skills and get more experience at a higher level of soccer. But in the long run, if I keep it up and are passionate about soccer, I could have a chance. This is the next step to get there."

She was a teammate of former Beaver great Rachael Axon, a key member of OSU's 2009 NCAA Sweet 16 team, in Norway. That relationship influenced her decision to attend OSU. An honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic selection as a senior, Haavik will earn her degree in public health at the end of winter term and return in June to walk with her classmates in the graduation ceremony.

"We wish her all the best we know she is going to be successful," Rhode said. "She has all the tools and the right mentality. She will do well. There is more to come from Helene. She is still developing and always wants to get better. We will keep an eye on her because I don't think she'll finish her career in this league."

Haavik is the latest in a series of OSU alums to return to their native Europe to play professionally.

Axon (2007-09) returned to her native England after her OSU career and then played in Norway and for the Houston Dash in the NWSL before retiring last season.

Jodie Taylor (2004-07), a star on England's third-place 2015 World Cup team, played for the NWSL's Portland Thorns and Washington Spirit before returning to England. She currently plays for Arsenal in the English FA Women's Soccer League.

Jo Fletcher (2002-03) played goalie for Tranmere, Birmingham City and Lincoln, played in the European Championships and earned nine caps for the National team upon returning home following her OSU career.

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Players Mentioned

Helene Haavik

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