J.J. Tompkins is CU soccer鈥檚 all-time leader in wins. Now,聽the goalkeeper plays professionally in Norway.聽
Goalkeeper J.J. Tompkins (Psych鈥�19) is CU soccer鈥檚 all-time leader in wins with 49 total. Her standout performance, however, came in defeat Nov. 22, 2019, as she made several highlight-reel saves when North Carolina eliminated the Buffs 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Phoenix native wasn鈥檛 done. She began exploring professional opportunities for after her December graduation. She considered leagues in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Israel.聽
Tompkins earned a tryout with Va虋lerenga Fotball Damer, a top-tier team in Norway. She bought a one-way ticket, passed the trial and signed in February 2020.
After moving into East Oslo, she joined club practices. She trained with the starting goalie, Hannah Seabert, the only other American on the 20-player roster. In March, though, the pandemic forced Va虋lerenga into lockdown. Three weeks into her pro career, Tompkins was receiving unemployment.聽聽
She walked the city, kept in touch with family and connected with similarly isolated teammates.
鈥淚 was a bit shy, so it gave me time to meet them. We really bonded during quarantine,鈥� Tompkins said.
After six weeks, Va虋lerenga began practices and the team resumed games July 5. Tompkins got her first start Aug. 16. She dedicated it to Buffs associate head coach Jason Green鈥檚 late mother Donna.
鈥淪he was always a number-one fan. Such a special woman,鈥� Tompkins said. With 鈥淢ama Green鈥� written on her hand, she earned a shutout. Tompkins stayed in goal. She collected several more shutouts. On Dec. 6, Va虋lerenga won the league championship. Meanwhile, the club also began play in the Norwegian Cup 鈥� a prestigious nationwide club tournament 鈥� and won its Champions League qualifiers.
A week later, Va虋lerenga won the Norwegian Cup with another shutout by Tompkins.
Said CU coach Green: 鈥淥ne trophy was huge, but to bring a double in her first season 鈥� it鈥檚 why she is now regarded as the best goalkeeper playing in Norway.鈥�
Photos by聽Vegard Wivestad Grott/Bildbyran
