Growing up in Canton, Michigan, Petersen played youth soccer as a midfielder for Michigan Hawks ECNL and was voted to numerous ECNL Top-11 squads.[2] In 2014 she was named as an NSCAA Youth All-American.[3] Coming out of high school, Petersen ranked as the No. 23 recruit in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.[4]
Virginia Cavaliers
In October 2013, Petersen committed to playing college soccer at the University of Virginia.[4] She played four seasons for the Virginia Cavaliers between 2015 and 2019, sitting out the 2016 season to focus fully on national team duty for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[5] Predominantly a left-sided full-back, Petersen proved to be a versatile player during her collegiate career, also playing in midfield. As a freshman she scored a career-high three goals and added another three assists in 22 appearances, ending the year as an ACC All-Freshman team selection. In her senior year, Petersen was an All-Region First Team selection by United Soccer Coaches, a TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team selection and an All-ACC Second Team selection.[2][6]
In the 2018 and 2019 offseasons, Petersen played with hometown WPSL side Motor City FC.[7]
Professional career
Orlando Pride, 2020–2022
Petersen was selected in the first round (7th overall) of the 2020 NWSL College Draft by Orlando Pride.[6] She signed with the team in March but with the season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, was unable to make her debut until September 19, 2020, in the first Fall Series match, starting in a 0–0 draw with North Carolina Courage.[8][9] She appeared in all four Fall Series matches, playing the full 90 minutes in each.[10]
Houston Dash, 2023–2024
Petersen had a contract offer extended to her by Orlando at the end of the 2022 season but in February 2023, the club agreed to trade her rights to Houston Dash along with a natural third-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft in exchange for $65,000 in allocation money plus an additional $25,000, pending conditions met.[11]
Racing Louisville, 2024–
On August 31, 2024, Petersen was traded from the Houston Dash to Racing Louisville FC in exchange for $45,000 in league allocation money.[12]