Three years ago, soccer wasn’t even on Olivia Wilson’s radar. Now, though, the sport has moved into the favored position for the Wright City junior over volleyball and basketball, her other two sports played.
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Three years ago, soccer wasn’t even on Olivia Wilson’s radar.
Now, though, the sport has moved into the favored position for the Wright City junior over volleyball and basketball, her other two sports played.
It’s something Wilson wouldn’t have imagined when she entered high school.
“My English teacher used to be the coach,” Wilson said. “He said that, if I like sports, I should play. That’s what got me into it and I love it.”
Just as Wilson loves playing the game, her coach and teammates have got to love having her back amongst the defensive unit.
The co-captain is helping Wright City (10-4) as the team allows just 1.3 goals per game this season.
“Knowing that the team counts on me to be the last line of defense, other than our goalie, it’s something that translates as far as being there and working hard,” Wilson said. “That’s what I have to do and (if they’re counting on me) I have to work hard.”
The effort by the junior defender comes on the heels of a volleyball season in which she recorded 43 kills and a basketball season in which she averaged 5.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Wildcats’ Coach Tori Harris said that something like the goal Wilson scored in the team’s win against Liberty Christian on April 8 was nice, that’s not what she’s about and that’s not what the team needs from Wilson.
The junior is a walking, talking security blanket for the team, Harris said.
“She makes everything so smooth for her teammates,” Harris said. “They know that, if they get beat, Liv is back there. She’s a big leader on the field. Just as important, though, is that she’s such a big leader for us off the field in everything she does.”
While Wilson has stepped to the forefront for the defense and the team, she said that everything her teammates have done for her has been just as important as any contribution she’s made.
After all, it takes a team to succeed on the pitch, Wilson said. More importantly, though, the team is more like a family, according to the junior.
“I love being a part of this team; we all hold each other together so well,” Wilson said. “Our connection is really good. It helps me not only become a better player but also a better person, as well. It makes me feel so grateful that everybody trusts me back there.”
