Amy Carr
Women’s soccer standout Amy Carr is heading to the pro circuit following her graduation at NIU.
After receiving a degree in kinesiology this May, Carr will play professional soccer for the Idrettslaget Sandviken women’s football (soccer) club.
“I’ve always wanted to play after going through school,” Carr said. “I didn’t want to settle for something else. It was always about going through the process.”
Carr, one the finest goaltenders to ever play at NIU, ended her career with the Huskies in the fall of 2013. Carr compiled 19 shutouts over her four years, second all time in women’s soccer history at NIU. In 2012, she was honored as a second team All-MAC goalkeeper, becoming the first keeper to ever receive All-MAC honors in the program’s history.
In order to attain a position on a professional club, Carr went to work following the conclusion of the 2013 NIU season. She invested her time in creating highlight videos and researching prospective clubs to play on. She then sent out these videos to clubs that interested her. Of the clubs that got back to her, Sandviken stood out.
“They just seemed different,” said Carr. “Their interest was higher than the others.”
Amy Carr
Sandviken is a 1. Divisjon (First Division) Norwegian women’s football club, the second highest level of play in women’s soccer in the nation. The club struggled in 2013, going 3-18-1 in the Toppserien (Top League). Carr will look to help the team get back to the highest level as she plays there. Sandviken has been in the 1. Divisjon in two isolated seasons over the last decade. In each of those instances, the team has moved up to the Toppserien by finishing first out of 12 clubs.
The Sandviken club has been in existence since 1945. It plays at the Stemmemyren Idrettsplass in Bergen, Norway. Aside from football, Sandviken is involved in basketball and team handball.
“The women’s game is on the rise,” Carr said. “With more opportunities coming up, I want to be a part of that.”
Carr will be missed at NIU. The Huskies have two goalkeepers who will look to fill her spot in 2014. Amy Annala and Riley Riordan will be charged with the task of stopping shots next season.
For more information on NIU women’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
