Catharina and Paula: From Germany to NCAA D1 Soccer in the USA
Catharina and Paula, both from Germany, played together at NCAA Division 1 Stony Brook University in New York on women’s soccer scholarships.
- Paula Petri: A midfielder who previously played for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 1. Bundesliga—the top division of women’s soccer in Germany.
- Catharina von Drigalski: A defender who spent six years with 1. FFC Frankfurt, including three seasons (2016-2019) with their second team in the 2. Bundesliga.
After graduating high school in Germany, both players decided to pursue their talent further by earning women’s soccer scholarships in the USA. Stony Brook’s head coach, Tobias Bischof (also from Germany), recruited them for the 2019/2020 season—a decision that paid off!
As part of our college road trip, Warubi Sports visited Stony Brook University (Station #6) and interviewed Catharina and Paula. Watch the video to learn about their college recruiting journey and experiences playing on a women’s soccer scholarship in the USA.
From the Highest Soccer Level in Germany to Women’s Soccer Scholarships in the USA
Paula Petri: A standout midfielder, Paula knows what it takes to compete at the highest level of women’s soccer in Germany. She made her debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 1. Bundesliga at just 16 years old. During the 2016/17 season, she appeared in three top-division matches. After her team won the 2. Bundesliga in 2017/18, Paula added eight more appearances in the 1. Bundesliga during the 2018/19 season. She also represented Germany on the Women’s National Team from 2015 to 2017.
Catharina von Drigalski: A defender for FFC Frankfurt’s second team, Catharina debuted in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2016/17 season. Over three seasons, she made 40 appearances, playing more than 3,000 minutes in one of Germany’s most competitive women’s soccer leagues.
Thanks to their years of experience competing at such a high level, both Paula and Catharina earned scholarships to one of the best colleges for women’s soccer in the USA: Stony Brook University.
America East Champions in Their First Season
Tobias Bischof proved he made the right call recruiting Catharina and Paula on women’s soccer scholarships after just one season at Stony Brook University. The 2019/20 season marked Tobias’ debut as head women’s soccer coach and the freshman year for Catharina and Paula.
The three German natives, along with the entire team and staff, achieved incredible success by clinching the America East Championship. They first won the America East regular season title and went on to secure the America East Tournament Championship. With an impressive 14-5-1 record, the team qualified for the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament, where they faced the #4 ranked team in the USA, Penn State University. Although their season ended with a 1-3 defeat, the team made history by scoring its first-ever goal in the NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer Championship.
Catharina and Paula were both recognized for their outstanding performances during their first season:
- Named to the America East All-Rookie Team
- Included in the America East Fall Honor Roll
Season Highlights:
- Paula Petri: Six assists, one goal, and started all 21 games.
- Catharina von Drigalski: Two assists as Stony Brook’s corner specialist and started all 21 games.
Their exceptional contributions helped solidify an unforgettable first season for Stony Brook and set a strong foundation for the program’s future success.
Women’s Soccer Scholarships at Stony Brook University
When it comes to women’s soccer scholarships in the USA, Stony Brook University stands out as one of the top options. Located in Stony Brook, New York, this public research university spans 213 buildings across over 1,454 acres, making it the largest public university in New York by area.
Stony Brook is highly regarded academically and athletically:
- In 2001, it was elected to the Association of American Universities, an elite group of top research institutions in North America.
- It holds an “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” classification, reflecting its commitment to advanced academic research.
The Stony Brook Seawolves compete in NCAA Division 1 as members of the America East Conference. The university also sets high academic standards, with:
- A 44% acceptance rate.
- SAT scores ranging from 1230 to 1440.
- An out-of-state attendance cost exceeding $43,000.
With approximately 27,000 students and 2,738 academic staff, Stony Brook offers a vibrant campus environment and a strong foundation for both education and athletics.
Want to learn more about women’s soccer scholarships in the USA?
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I am a German native based in the USA. As a former Bundesliga academy player in Germany and an NCAA soccer player at Hofstra University in New York and CSU in Los Angeles on a full scholarship, I have experienced the pros and cons of both cultures. Soccer/Football has changed my life in so many positive ways, and I am dedicated to sharing my experience with the next generation of players.
