On anyone’s map, 4,895 miles is a long distance from home to study and live abroad. But on Malin Andersson’s world map, that’s the distance from her hometown of Huskvarna, Sweden to Oklahoma City University.
Four years ago, Andersson’s choice of schools was based primarily on one thing - playing collegiate soccer in the United States.
Andersson, the OCU Super Star of the Week, is leading the team with 27 points and 13 assists as the Stars march through the regular season with their eye on a chance to hit the national stage. But to get to Oklahoma – the place she heard was comprised of “Cowboys and Indians” – she sent herself to head coach Brian Harvey, literally.
“I kind of got recruited by myself. I sent a video to Harvey and he liked it,” Andersson said. She received a scholarship to play and the rest, as they say, is history for the senior forward.
“Yeah, she sent me a tape and we viewed it,” Harvey recalled. “I saw a very technical player, and she was very comfortable with the ball at her feet. At first I thought the tape was speeded up a little bit, but we really enjoyed what we saw.”
Andersson’s speed and technical ability that Coach Harvey saw in that first glimpse of field has continued to blossom in her four years with the OCU program. She has amassed 43 goals, 33 assists, 119 points and 271 shots thus far in her collegiate career.
She’s continued to hone her fancy footwork, leadership skills, focus on the field and maturity in her game, all while forming a tight bond with her team – not only with the “friendly” Americans but her fellow countrymen as well.
Andersson is not the lone Swedish born player to be seen on the Stars roster. In fact, she’s joined by fellow senior Josefine Holmgren and freshman Blerta Rashica to form a full-fledged Swedish contingent to the OCU program. Andersson notes that she and the other Swedish players on the team bring a unique perspective on the game of soccer, a mentality that meshes well with the mindset of their American-born teammates.
“I think we can bring a new mentality,” Andersson said. “We think about different things when it comes to soccer, and American players think about different things, so together it’s a really good mix.”
Harvey agrees. “Swedish players bring a different look. Their technical ability is very, very good, and the technical side really lends a nice balance to the squad that we already have.”
That melding of cultures and styles has led to a strong bond on the soccer field, and a strong record to boot. OCU enters the tail end of the regular season with a 12-2 record and an unblemished conference schedule with four matches to go.
The team has their eye on lofty goals of making it to the national tournament. Not just to make an appearance, but to make a run at the title. When her final season of collegiate soccer comes to an end in the upcoming weeks, Andersson’s soccer pursuit is just beginning.
“I would love to play professional soccer anywhere in the world,” Andersson said. “That’s what I’ve been fighting for since I was little. I want to play the highest division in Sweden. I feel like I’ve learned so much over here that I feel more ready to go back to Sweden now, and try and see how that works.”
Catch Andersson and the women’s soccer team in action Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. against Wayland Baptist (Texas) at Stars Field.
More on Malin:
Reason I picked OCU: Scholarship for soccer
My next vacation is to: Sweden
Career plans: Playing soccer, nutritionist
Favorite athlete: Kevin Durant
Personal goal this year, athletic or not: Go all the way to nationals
