BERKELEY – Former Golden Bear midfielder Guro Bergsvand will begin her professional soccer career back in her native Norway, signing with Stabaek Fotball Kvinner earlier this month. Stabaek plays in the Toppserien, the top division in Norwegian football, and has finished in the top-three in the league table eight of the last nine seasons. Based in Baerum, Norway, just outside of Oslo, Stabaek begins its 2018 league campaign in late March.

Bergsvand continues a rich tradition of Golden Bears who have gone on to play professionally, both in the United States and across the globe, including nations such as Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and the Netherlands.

"G was a tremendous player for us here at Cal," said Golden Bears head coach Neil McGuire. "She was dominant in the tackle and the air, a great ball striker and goalscoring threat, and she was capable of dominating games defensively.   She will be a very fine professional and will quickly become a leader on her new team.  On top of all her talents, she is an exceptional person. We are very proud of her."

The professional contract marks another milestone in what has been a remarkable few months for Bergsvand. After missing the majority of the previous two seasons due to injury, the midfielder returned to the pitch in 2017, helping the Bears to a 13-6-1 overall record and their 14^th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. A tri-captain for the Bears in 2017, Bergsvand was voted the team's Most Inspirational Player and recognized for the Perseverance and Leadership of a Champion. Bergsvand then completed her degree in Media Studies, graduating early in December.

"I'm really excited to have signed with a top Norwegian club and can't wait to see what 2018 will bring," said Bergsvand. "I am forever grateful for the Cal family I have made over the last three-and-a-half years."

A fearless competitor in the midfield, Bergsvand started all 20 matches for the Golden Bears, helping Cal record 10 clean sheets on the season. She scored her first goal of the season in Cal's 3-0 win over Oklahoma State and assisted the game-winning goal in the Bears' season-opening victory over UC Irvine. A member of Norway's U17 and U19 Women's National Teams, Bergsvand appeared in a total of 45 matches during her Cal career, tallying four goals and two assists in 36 career starts.
 
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