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Sometimes it’s hard for Erin Flurey to watch her teammates embrace their families after a game.
Flurey, who grew up in Manchester, wants to eventually return to the United States but, right now, she’s enjoying playing in Iceland for her first professional soccer season.
A forward who won consecutive NHIAA Division I titles at Manchester Central (2017, 2018), Flurey plays for Thor/KA, a member of the aptly named Women’s Best Division — the top women’s league in Iceland.
“I would say the hard part of being here is not being with my family ... but also, I wake up every day and I know that I’ve reached the goal I set for myself at such a young age,” Flurey said.
Flurey was a team captain in her senior season at Auburn University this past fall, when she led the Tigers with 24 points on 11 goals (that count as two points each) and two assists. She spent her first three collegiate seasons at Syracuse.
Flurey, who owns the Central record for goals in a season (27), signed with Thor/KA in February, choosing the two-time league champion club over two other European teams.
When Flurey talked with Thor/KA coach Adalsteinn Johann Fridriksson via Zoom, she liked that he wanted her to play her preferred position, center forward. Flurey also appreciated that he reviewed her film and spoke with her college coaches to learn more about her.
“I was very drawn to that because I like a coach who also cares about me as a person and not just as someone who they’re sticking on the field and I feel that while I’m here,” Flurey said.
Despite the distance, Flurey has had her family with her for some of her biggest moments since she arrived in Akureyri, a town in northern Iceland, for preseason training in early March.
Flurey’s dad, David, stayed with her for the first week and helped her get settled. On another visit, he saw Flurey score her first professional goal in her first career game on April 25.
“He’s been there for every single soccer milestone that I’ve had,” Flurey said. “I couldn’t tell you a first game that he’s ever missed so when he surprised me for my first professional game, which I didn’t know he was coming for, it was just amazing.”
Flurey’s family visited her two weeks ago and saw her tally her first professional assist in a 2-0 Thor/KA victory over Throttur Reykjavik FC on June 26.
For one of her team’s pregame starting lineup announcements, Flurey got to walk onto the field with her 10-year-old sister, Shay.
“Knowing I have that system behind me makes it easier to be overseas, I would say — easier and hard,” Flurey said, “because I want to be at a place closer to them so they can see me more but I also have their support that this is something that I need to do to grow in my career and just in life.”
Thor/KA and other teams in Iceland’s top league have an attacking mindset, Flurey said. That’s been a welcome adjustment for Flurey, whose college teams had a more defensive focus.
“I think here, it’s like who can score more, which is something I love because I’m a very attack-minded player, so I see the benefit in that,” Flurey said.
Flurey said she has a high soccer IQ, reads the game well and can play as a forward, wing or attacking midfielder.
With Thor/KA, Flurey feels she can be herself and has enjoyed playing primarily center forward.
“I think that’s one thing that my coach here has said a lot,” Flurey said. “He says, ‘Be you. Play like you,’ and it’s kind of like a weight lifted off of your shoulders.”
While it was difficult initially, Flurey has enjoyed creating her own community in Iceland.
Flurey and her roommate, former Boston College and Georgetown goalie Allie Augur, are the only Americans on Thor/KA. Augur is from Northford, Connecticut.
Sometimes Flurey gets noticed as a Thor/KA player by fans at her favorite coffee shop in her town. One of the baristas there has memorized her go-to order.
Flurey hasn’t had much difficulty with the language barrier — English is taught in schools in Iceland.
While she likes to be busy, Flurey has grown accustomed to the slower, more relaxed pace of living in Iceland compared to the U.S.
The Women’s Best Division season runs through mid-October. Through nine games, Thor/KA was ninth in the 10-team league standings with a 1-3-5 record.
“I’m just proud of myself for being able to get out of my comfort zone and live in a new country essentially alone with no family right by my side,” Flurey said. “I’m just proud and grateful that I have the support that I do at home that makes it possible for me to be able to follow my dreams.”
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Flurey, who grew up in Manchester, wants to eventually return to the United States but, right now, she’s enjoying playing in Iceland for her first professional soccer season.
A forward who won consecutive NHIAA Division I titles at Manchester Central (2017, 2018), Flurey plays for Thor/KA, a member of the aptly named Women’s Best Division — the top women’s league in Iceland.
“I would say the hard part of being here is not being with my family ... but also, I wake up every day and I know that I’ve reached the goal I set for myself at such a young age,” Flurey said.
Flurey was a team captain in her senior season at Auburn University this past fall, when she led the Tigers with 24 points on 11 goals (that count as two points each) and two assists. She spent her first three collegiate seasons at Syracuse.
Flurey, who owns the Central record for goals in a season (27), signed with Thor/KA in February, choosing the two-time league champion club over two other European teams.
When Flurey talked with Thor/KA coach Adalsteinn Johann Fridriksson via Zoom, she liked that he wanted her to play her preferred position, center forward. Flurey also appreciated that he reviewed her film and spoke with her college coaches to learn more about her.
“I was very drawn to that because I like a coach who also cares about me as a person and not just as someone who they’re sticking on the field and I feel that while I’m here,” Flurey said.
Despite the distance, Flurey has had her family with her for some of her biggest moments since she arrived in Akureyri, a town in northern Iceland, for preseason training in early March.
Flurey’s dad, David, stayed with her for the first week and helped her get settled. On another visit, he saw Flurey score her first professional goal in her first career game on April 25.
“He’s been there for every single soccer milestone that I’ve had,” Flurey said. “I couldn’t tell you a first game that he’s ever missed so when he surprised me for my first professional game, which I didn’t know he was coming for, it was just amazing.”
Flurey’s family visited her two weeks ago and saw her tally her first professional assist in a 2-0 Thor/KA victory over Throttur Reykjavik FC on June 26.
For one of her team’s pregame starting lineup announcements, Flurey got to walk onto the field with her 10-year-old sister, Shay.
“Knowing I have that system behind me makes it easier to be overseas, I would say — easier and hard,” Flurey said, “because I want to be at a place closer to them so they can see me more but I also have their support that this is something that I need to do to grow in my career and just in life.”
Thor/KA and other teams in Iceland’s top league have an attacking mindset, Flurey said. That’s been a welcome adjustment for Flurey, whose college teams had a more defensive focus.
“I think here, it’s like who can score more, which is something I love because I’m a very attack-minded player, so I see the benefit in that,” Flurey said.
Flurey said she has a high soccer IQ, reads the game well and can play as a forward, wing or attacking midfielder.
With Thor/KA, Flurey feels she can be herself and has enjoyed playing primarily center forward.
“I think that’s one thing that my coach here has said a lot,” Flurey said. “He says, ‘Be you. Play like you,’ and it’s kind of like a weight lifted off of your shoulders.”
While it was difficult initially, Flurey has enjoyed creating her own community in Iceland.
Flurey and her roommate, former Boston College and Georgetown goalie Allie Augur, are the only Americans on Thor/KA. Augur is from Northford, Connecticut.
Sometimes Flurey gets noticed as a Thor/KA player by fans at her favorite coffee shop in her town. One of the baristas there has memorized her go-to order.
Flurey hasn’t had much difficulty with the language barrier — English is taught in schools in Iceland.
While she likes to be busy, Flurey has grown accustomed to the slower, more relaxed pace of living in Iceland compared to the U.S.
The Women’s Best Division season runs through mid-October. Through nine games, Thor/KA was ninth in the 10-team league standings with a 1-3-5 record.
“I’m just proud of myself for being able to get out of my comfort zone and live in a new country essentially alone with no family right by my side,” Flurey said. “I’m just proud and grateful that I have the support that I do at home that makes it possible for me to be able to follow my dreams.”
[email protected]
Continue reading...
