Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Having recently been called up to international duty, Virginia Tech sophomore defensive back Victoria "Dori" Haugen will proudly rejoin the Hokies this week after competing in a pair of friendlies for the Norwegian Women's Under-23 National Team.
A dual citizen of Norway and the United States, Haugen has been a regular within the Norwegian national pool since first joining the country's U-16 club. Her ties to Norway extend from her father, Nils, a native Norwegian who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 21.
Departing Tech for two international friendlies in Oslo, Haugen made her U-23 debut on Oct. 21, starting from the back line and playing the duration of Norway's 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. On Monday, Haugen returned to the Norwegian XI against Sweden, logging 87 minutes of match time despite the team's 3-2 defeat.
"We are excited for Dori at every opportunity she has to represent Norway and play at a different stage," said Virginia Tech head coach Chugger Adair. "She has been working her way up through the youth program there during the last few years prior to coming to Virginia Tech.
"To play for the Norwegian U-23 team is an exceptional opportunity that could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We know her development, growth and experience from these opportunities will help her grow as a player – both for us and for her future as a soccer player."
For Haugen, her recent U-23 service marked her return to the international scene for the first time in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2019, she helped Norway's U-19 side champion its first qualifying group for the 2020 UEFA Women's U-19 Championship – five months before starting a March 2020 friendly against France.
An imposing center back at Virginia Tech, Haugen has been a critical piece to the Hokies' defensive unit that has combined to yield six clean sheets during the 2021 season. Together with rookie standout Allie Lewis, Tech's central defending has put the Hokies in prime contention to qualify for and make a deep run in next month's NCAA tournament.
Haugen is slated to return to Virginia Tech on Thursday, Oct. 28, when the Hokies close the 2021 regular season at Syracuse (7 p.m. kickoff). To qualify for the ACC tournament on Thursday, Tech will require a win coupled with a Clemson loss and a loss or a draw by North Carolina.