Ottawa Rapid goalkeeper combines PhD studies with Northern Super League career

Newly signed to Ottawa Rapid FC, former Swedish youth international Mollie Eriksson is looking to help build the Northern Super League from the ground up.

And with a degree in neuroscience behind her, the PhD student could be doing it as doctor/goalkeeper.

"I sure hope so," Eriksson, who grew up in Ottawa, said cheerfully.

Eriksson is the first goalkeeper announced by Ottawa, whose biggest signing to date has been 37-year-old midfielder Desiree Scott, a veteran of 187 Canadian caps.

"I can't wait to learn from her," said Eriksson.

In choosing to play for Ottawa, Eriksson is reunited with Rapid technical director Kristina Kiss, a former Canadian international who coached her at the West Ottawa Soccer Club.

"One of the best coaches I've ever played for," Eriksson said of Kiss. "She has an absolutely amazing ability to inspire her players and really help them achieve their utmost potential."

At 24, Eriksson has already packed a lot in on and off the football pitch.

Born in Stockholm to a Canadian mother and Swedish father, the family came to Canada when Eriksson was young — moving around before eventually settling in Ottawa in 2008.

Her father, a former member of the Swedish military who now is an Air Canada pilot, met her mother, a native of Revelstoke, while on a ski trip in B.C.

Eriksson attended the same high school as Ottawa teammate Liv Scott and the two represented Ontario along with fellow Rapid players Melanie Forbes and Emily Amano. Eriksson is also no stranger to Ottawa teammate Julia Benati, having played against the former League1 Ontario MVP with FC London.

She played collegiate soccer at DePaul in Chicago where she made 75 appearances, all starts, with 19 shutouts and a 1.11 goals-against average. She was