Hauksdottir Has Pro Hopes After Living American Dream as a Bull
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, MAY 14, 2020 – Dreams of succeeding in her sport while studying in America have been fulfilled for USF women's soccer standout
Andrea Hauksdottir.
Four years after arriving in Tampa all the way from Iceland, the proud Bull completed her incredible journey to a college degree this spring with a pro playing career on the horizon.
"I didn't realize it until I got my cap and gown. "I was like, 'Wow it really happened,'" the management major said. "It's so unreal."
Euphoric feelings are expected from all
60 of USF Athletics' projected spring grads and especially for someone like Hauksdottir.
Growing up in Kopavogur, the small-town girl had aspirations of being a student-athlete far, far away from her Nordic island country in the North Atlantic.
"I was probably like 7 years old," she said. "I didn't know if it was a thing or not at the time. I really wanted to come to the States and play soccer and study."
Wishes eventually became a reality for the highly skilled midfielder who was all over the recruiting radar while moving up in Iceland's national team circuit. By 2012, Hauksdottir was on the country's U-17 squad and kept making an impression with the U-19 team from 2013-15.
"It's really exciting to play for your country and it's a really important experience. You're playing against other countries and other amazing players," she said. "My country is not big, so being able to compete on other countries' level is a lot of fun."
On the way to eventually playing in numerous events for Iceland's full national team, Hauksdottir learned a lot about the "huge" recruitment process required for finding the right fit in America. More than 50 schools from the United States offered scholarship opportunities to Haukdottir, who worked hard to narrow her options down to three.
USF was the school that ultimately stood out and Hauksdottir still appreciates associate head coach
Chris Brown's efforts to get her to Tampa.
"I really liked what he had to offer," she said. "He described everything so well and he was so willing to help with all of the process."
Another really appealing aspect of USF was the Bulls' abundance of talent from all over the world. Players from at least five countries have been represented USF since Hauksdottir's first season with the program in 2016.
"The diversity here is one of the factors that was really important to me," she said. "Looking at the roster, I saw there were a lot of people from different countries. I knew the culture would be welcoming."
Close bonds were formed quickly with new teammates, which helped Hauksdottir adjust to a whole new way of life as a freshman in 2016. Chasing the American dream started with Hauksdottir flying more than 3,000 miles to Tampa, a city populated by about 10 times the amount of people than her hometown of Kopavogur.
"Coming here is a huge difference because it's so much bigger and everything is further apart. At home, everything is close by," she said. "It took me like five to seven minutes to walk to the store, or the mall, or school. I could walk everywhere. Here, you will always need a car."
Despite the differences in lifestyle, Hauksdottir ended up feeling right at home in the Bay – where she's continued to train – after accomplishing many great things with the Bulls.
Hauksdottir started every game in her collegiate career from 2016-19, earning United Soccer Coaches All-South Region accolades three times in addition to being named AAC Midfielder of the Year in each of the past two seasons.
Haukdottir also had the honor of joining close friend
Evelyne Viens (L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec) on the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America team during their senior season.
"Doing well in everything that I do is really important to me," Hauksdottir said. "It doesn't really matter what it is – school or soccer – I just always want to do well."
Throughout her mission of remaining a stellar student-athlete, Hauksdottir got to enjoy a large amount of team success. USF posted a combined record of 56-17-5 and captured conference titles in each of the past three seasons that were all capped off with NCAA tournament trips.
"It was really special, playing with these girls and how we came together as a team for every game," she said.
This past fall, the close-knit Bulls won a school record 16 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. Hauksdottir played a key role in the campaign, tying for second on the team and matching her career high with 17 points.
"The team chemistry that year was so amazing," Hauksdottir said. "I'm thankful for all of my teammates for sticking up for each other and sacrificing things at the time. People were willing to walk the extra mile just to get the win."
Hauksdottir's USF teammates will definitely be rooting for her while she pursues a pro playing career. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the midfielder already had numerous training sessions with Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League as a non-roster invitee.
"I just think it's a great opportunity to play with some of the best players in the world and see where I stand," she said.
No matter what happens next, Hauksdottir will always have a storybook experience as a Bull to fondly look back on.
"It's gonna be so hard to leave. I don't want these years to be over," she said. "I met so many amazing people. I made so many relationships with friends that I know I will still have in the future. It's hard going away from it."
About USF Women's Soccer
Be sure to follow USF women's soccer on social media (Twitter / Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF women's soccer team has posted eight consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and nine in the last 10 years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
