EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon soccer team is a very young team, with several key players having graduated last season.
One of those former Ducks has now embarked on a professional career overseas.
Zoe Hasenauer is Oregon’s all-time leader in assists (19) and games started (90). After graduation, Zoe wasn’t selected in the NWSL Draft. A short stint with Racing Louisville FC didn’t result in any playing time. But through a teammate in Louisville, a door was opened to the Danish league and Zoe hasn’t looked back since.
Zoe’s time in Denmark has been brief, but in the two months since joining Odense Boldklub, the former Duck has proven why she belongs on the professional stage.
“I was just hungry to get back out here and make a difference. I really felt happy about the fact that they bet on me to come out here and help the team. I feel like that really boosted my confidence,” said Hasenauer.
Since her signing was announced in late July, the midfielder was scored six goals for her new club. Zoe is currently Odense’s leading scorer, fitting in naturally to the European style of play.
“I like the possession-based, slower, build up soccer,” said Hasenauer. “That has definitely been a change for me, it’s not all go, go, go like it is in the NWSL.”
Despite being halfway around the world, Zoe has a Pac-12 connection on her team. She’s now teammates with former Oregon State star Reese Moffatt.
“We didn’t know each other at all but it’s honestly been really nice, just having somebody that knows Oregon where we’ve been at together here. It’s made the adjustment way easier.”
Oregon head coach Graeme Abel knows that having success overseas could lead to a team back in the state offering a contract, and he’s glad Zoe is getting that opportunity.
“It gives her a chance to get back fully fit, because a fully fit Zoe is a really, really good player,” said Coach Abel. “I think we saw that in the 2021 season when she was firing on all cylinders. She was able to be the very best of herself and that’s a heck of a player.”
“I would love to come back in the future. I don’t know how soon that would be but definitely, I wouldn’t say no to it,” said Hasenauer.
Source : KPIC
