Wisconsin Soccer Central

Connor Brehm (Racine St. Catherine's) is Wisconsin's newest pro soccer player.

The striker, who played at NCAA Division II Bellarmine (Ky.) for the past three seasons, is playing with Belfast club Police Service of Northern Ireland FC – commonly known as PSNI – in the Northern Ireland Football League Championship 1.

Brehm tweeted that he signed with Carrick Rangers FC, which also plays in the NIFL Championship 1, and is on loan to PSNI. He spent time on trial with both second-division clubs during the past few weeks.

"Just signed my first professional football contract," Brehm tweeted last week. "Thanks to everyone who believed in me. Bigger thanks to those who doubted me."

Brehm played at NAIA Baker (Kan.) as a freshman before transferring to Bellarmine, and wrapped up his college career last fall with 14 goals in 73 appearances overall.

PSNI, which originally only included serving policemen, is playing in the NIFL Championship 1 for the first time this season after earning promotion by finishing second in the NIFL Championship 2 during the 2013-14 season. Brehm wasn't involved as they lost to visiting HW Welders 2-0 in their league opener Saturday.

On Twitter: @YouMeAndKG

• In Norway's Toppserien, Katie Bethke (Eau Claire Memorial) switched clubs during the recent summer break – but the move wasn't only about her playing career. Bethke, who turns 26 next month, signed with Grand Bodø as a player-assistant coach under coach Tom Kåre Staurvik. She was with Avaldsnes in 2013 and during the first half of this season, scoring two goals in 11 appearances this year, and also has played for Arna-Bjørnar in the top-flight league in addition to a stint with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Grand Bodø (0-10-1) is at the bottom of the 12-team Toppserien with 11 matches remaining. Bethke made her debut for Grand Bodø in a 2-1 loss to Røa in an NM Cupen match on Wednesday, then scored the 87th-minute equalizer Sunday in a 1-1 league draw with Vålerenga. On Twitter: @KBethke3
• James Weber (Hartford) got back on the scoresheet in his third stint with Swedish club Gullringens GOIF, scoring in the 19th and 37th minutes of a 4-0 rout of Moheda IF in a Division 3 Nordöstra Götaland match Sunday. On Twitter: @TheJamesWeber
• Andrija Novakovich (Muskego) had a big week for the Reading Under-21 team as it wrapped up its preseason schedule. The striker, who turns 18 next month, scored moments after coming off the bench in the 60th minute in a 4-3 loss to Cardiff City on Monday, then had a "perfect" hat trick in a 4-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday – he scored with his right foot, left foot and on a header. (Watch the goals below). The Royals open their Premier League Under-21 Division 2 season Friday night against Arsenal. On Twitter: @AndrijaNovakov3

Editor's note: This article has been edited from its original version to reflect information that became available after posting.