 She played club soccer for Mission Viejo Soccer Club Mirage, with the team winning the state championship seven times.Attending the University of Portland, Hanson played for the Portland Pilots from 1999 to 2002, winning the 2002 NCAA championship in her senior year as team captain.She was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy in 2002, and was named to the "Soccer America" National MVP team in 2000 and 2002.