USF Standout Hamrick Ready to Begin Her Pro Career in Sweden
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, APRIL 25, 2018 – After helping the Bulls capture a conference title,
Jessica Hamrick is about to start living her pro soccer dream overseas.
On Wednesday night, USF's former standout midfielder will board a plane for Sweden, where she'll play for Kvarnsvedens IK over the spring and summer. The pro club is two matches into its season in the Elitettan, which is the second-highest division in Swedish women's soccer.
"Coaching Jess has been such a great experience for us. She's given so much back to the team and our coaching staff," USF head coach
Denise Schilte-Brown said. "This opportunity for her to go play professionally gives us much joy. We are proud of her and she deserves this opportunity."
Hamrick was recently presented with the pro opportunity while Kvarnsvedens IK was looking for a healthy midfielder and the timing was perfect. Hamrick completed her final college coursework earlier this week and she'll be playing in the pros as a graduate with a marketing degree.
"My original plan was to train at home all summer and then hopefully leave in August for the pros, but this is way better," Hamrick said. "It's a three-month thing and then we'll see if they want to extend it to the end of the season (October). I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Once she gets to Sweden, Hamrick will be ready for action thanks to her continuous preparation since conference champion USF's memorable season ended in November.
"I've been training with the team at USF. I trained with the Orlando Pride and played in two of their preseason games," Hamrick said. "That actually helped get to this Swedish team because I had experience with a pro team, even if it was just for a short amount of time. That was a good experience for me and I've just been staying in shape."
Hamrick said she'll always cherish her four-year experience at USF after helping the Bulls knock off top-seeded UCF in the conference tournament championship prior to two NCAA tournament matches in 2017. The Winter Park, Fla., native feels confident about the pros after seeing action in 61 games and making 22 starts for the Bulls, including all 19 games of the 2017 season.
"All of our coaches played professionally, so they know what it takes. They've all been my biggest supporters and have tried to help me," Hamrick said. "At the level we play, a lot of girls we've played against and a lot of our girls have gone pro. I think it has definitely prepared me and I'm not nervous going over there because I'm ready. They've developed me so much over the last four years."
About USF Women's Soccer
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The USF women's soccer team has posted six consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and eight in the last nine years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
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