Emily Olsen '18 Recruiting Profile

“You don’t always get what you dream for but you always get what you work for.”

I started kicking a soccer ball as soon as I could walk.  I would dribble around the basketball court at our local gym and as I got older I put dents in the dry wall in the room upstairs.  Eventually they were smoothed and painted over, but to this day I’m sure that the attendants never could figure out what happened.

I joined my first recreational soccer team when I was in kindergarten.  I was determined to become a master with the ball at my feet. Every new move I learned became and obsession, especially when I learned to juggle. I’m sure my parents rethought having their bedroom below mine. (KERPLUNK KERPLUNK KERPLUNK.)

My goalkeeping years began in my 2nd season as a competitive soccer player.  After playing sweeper for a while, I was completely fascinated with this new position. I’ve always had a natural leadership ability to direct defensive plays and an aptitude to see an offensive play develop and it gave me an advantage over girls who merely wanted to catch the ball.

I joined LaRoca mid [soccer] year of 2011 and took their U11 premier team from 4th in the rankings to state cup champions.   By the end of my 2012 soccer year my GAA (goals against average) was recorded at 0.16 GAA with ZERO goals scored against during the spring season.

I was featured in a 2012 US youth soccer FUEL magazine’s ‘Faces of Soccer’.

During the spring of 2013 I was admitted into our local Emergency Department after having a severe allergic reaction that caused the facial nerve on the left side of my face to swell.  The result was a condition called Bells Palsy.  This minor setback was just a mountain that I was determined to conquer.  It was during this time that I received an email notifying that I had been selected to represent the Western US at the Olympic Development Region IV camp.  I learned that not all battles are faced on the soccer field.  Sometimes the greatest battles are the ones we overcome with ourselves; that is the greatest victory. My injuries have been quite plentiful over the years, but if anything, they have made me a stronger and more determined player.

Playing in the 2014 and 2015 the USYS National Championships in Maryland and Tulsa huge highlights. I was able to compete against some of the most prestigious clubs and players in the nation. My team and I came out to prove to everyone that we belonged there. National League has also been an incredible experience. I am very humbled each time I step on the pitch.

I have not only proven myself on the pitch but also in the classroom. I maintain a 4.0 GPA and I have even received the Presidential Achievement Award for scholastic and citizenship success. I am also a part of an anti-bullying campaign for athletes, Especially for Athletes. This has opened a door for me to meet new people in our strive to make a difference.                               

This remarkable journey has given me many opportunities.  As I experience each new crossroad in my life I become increasingly aware of my desire to pursue excellence in both my academics and on the pitch; for me soccer plays a vital role in my success in school.  Soccer has taught me many life lessons, such as sacrificing what I want now for what I want most.  Some other lessons I’ve taken away from experiences have been: perseverance, competition, achieving goals individually as well as working as a team; but most importantly, I’ve learned confidence in myself and how my voice can make a positive impact on those I meet.

I look forward to beginning the next step in my journey and look forward to meeting wonderful people, enriching experiences and conquering new and exciting challenges.