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Princeton University Athletics
Catching Up with Princeton Women's Soccer Alum Emily Behncke
September 22, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Emily Behncke is a 2006 Princeton graduate and had four stellar seasons with the women's soccer team. She ended her career with 90 total points including 39 goals. She and former teammate Esmeralda Negron '05 are the only Tigers in program history to have two 30-point seasons. Both were integral parts of Princeton's 2004 team that advanced to the NCAA College Cup semifinals, the first Ivy League team to advance to the final four of a 64-team tournament in any sport.
Behncke has been playing this year in Solna, Sweden, near the Swedish capital of Stockholm, for the AIK club. The team is in the league's second division this year but is making a strong run to become part of the first division next year. Standing at 15-3 in league play, the team has four league games left with one four of the next five Saturdays through Oct. 21. The team's progress can be followed here, though the page is in Swedish. Click on "Damer" for the womens' team, then "Matcher" for the schedule and results.
Here's Behncke in her own words:
I live in Solna, Sweden, about 5-10 minutes to the north outside Stockholm. I play for AIK women, one of three Stockholm teams (but we are technically
in Solna). We have four league games left, the last of which is on Oct. 21, and one cup game left for the Stockholm Cup. We play that game this Wednesday. It's a cup for all Stockholm teams in every division and means nothing for our league standing.
We were in the first division, but dropped down last year. We are currently in first place by six points with our four league games left. If we win the rest
of those (or even lose one or get a few ties) we'll move up to the first division for next year. I'm starting at forward, and with the exception of getting sick last week and having to come out, am playing 90 minutes. So far I've scored twice and have an assist.
It's been a great experience so far, but certainly an adjustment as well. The swedish women are strong and tough. I play a lot of back-to-goal and have to work on protecting the ball and getting it back to the midfielders, then making runs off of that. The league is very competitive and practices, while always only an hour and a half, are very intense. The first half of practice is always dedicated to technical stuff. working on give-and-gos, one touch passing and trapping. The Swedes have great ball control. The last half is usually playing of some sort and everyone goes 100%. The game is faster and more physical than the college game. But it's great to know that you can push yourself mentally and physically to another level. I'm playing twice a week in the mornings with 19 and 20 year old boys getting some extra work on technical stuff.
The girls on my team, and the entire country actually, are very welcoming. It is a little difficult when everything's explained in Swedish. Outside of soccer I'm exploring the beautiful city, going to a lot of museums, boat tours, and learning how to make swedish meatballs and other traditional dishes.
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While Behncke's season nears its end in Sweden, her former teammates are just entering Ivy League play with the first of seven conference games Saturday at Yale. Last season, the Bulldogs edged the Tigers by a single standings point for the league crown and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.