Earlier this spring, FHN alum Sam Cary signed her first professional soccer contract with IFK Norköping, a team from Norköping, Sweden. In her first seven months, she started and played in 28 games including preseason games, scrimmages and actual games. In 20 of those 28 games, Cary has played every single minute. She has also added to the teams’ stats with two goals and two assists. One of Cary’s two goals came in a 1-0 victory against Linköpings Football Club as it was the game-winner and the only goal scored in the entirety of the match.

“I am looking forward to completing my rookie year and just continuing to push myself and keep growing,” Cary said. “I have learned so much about being a pro and one of the biggest is you never know where life may take you or what your journey may be.”

IFK Norköping is in the top division in Sweden called the Damallsvenskan. Norköping in this 2024 season, has gone 9-7-4, placing them fifth in the league. The team consists of players from many nationalities, including Sweden, Canada, Australia and Wales. The Swedish team has scored a total of 26 goals this season and has conceded 28.

“I love the opportunity I get every day to play the sport I love,” Cary said. “The team believed in me enough to give me a contract and an opportunity as a rookie and I am beyond thankful for that.”

Prior to playing in Sweden, Cary entered the National Women’s Soccer League draft, hoping to get a shot with a team.

“I had a confident feeling in my gut,” Cary said. “I had faith that my name would be called and there was a bigger plan in place for me.”

Cary was the sixth pick in the fourth round and was drafted by Racing Louisville FC, who she played with for two months and appeared in one official preseason game. Cary also played in the summer with them the season before. In her time there, Racing was 6-9-7 and stood in ninth place.

While being successful professionally in and out of the U.S, Cary was very strong in her five years at the University of Iowa, playing for the women’s soccer team. In her fifth year at Iowa, she accomplished the record of being the all-time minutes leader player at Iowa. Cary also earned other accolades throughout the season, one of them being a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

“We knew right away that there was something different about Sam,” associate head coach Katelyn Longino said. “Her desire to compete and win every single day even if it was just practice.”

While still being successful at the collegiate level, she also thrived at the high school level. Cary, who graduated from FHN in 2019, led her team in goals from her freshman to junior seasons, and assists as a sophomore and a junior. She also accomplished being a three-time all- state, all-region and all-conference selection and was a team co-captain her junior year.