Freshman forward/midfielder Olivia Rodriguez isn’t just new to the Blue Devil soccer team, she’s also getting familiar to life in the lower 48. Born and raised in Alaska, Olivia made the 3500 mile journey to Leominster about a year ago to be closer to her grandparents and cousins.
Olivia said she has enjoyed her time in Leominster so far, particularly as part of the soccer team.
“I like the coaches and my teammates because they are very encouraging,” Olivia said.
Olivia has shown a ton of promise on the field as well. She scored Leominster’s lone goal on Thursday evening in a 3-1 setback to a powerful Wachusett team.
Despite her early success, Olivia’s teammates are still getting to know the reserved yet driven freshman.
“Olivia has played well,” Blue Devil soccer coach Scott Houle said. “(Olivia is) new to our school and system since she transferred this year from Anchorage, Alaska. She is quiet and shy and her teammates just found out recently.”
Houle said soccer has been a positive in a lot of ways for Olivia.
“Her mother was originally from the Leominster area, but with Covid , etc. it has been a hurdle to get to know others and at least there has been soccer for (her),” Houle added.
Houle said despite Olivia being only a freshman, she brings a lot to the team and will only get better with more experience.
“Fortunately for us, she was a club team player (in Alaska) and understands the game and has some good technical skills,” Houle said. “We frequently tease her that she needs to become louder and play a bit more with an angry streak, but she is very much a wonderful young lady.”
Olivia said she enjoys everything about soccer.
“My mother signed me up and I quickly fell in love with it and have been playing ever since the first grade,” Olivia said.
“I love the team sport and how encouraging the coaches are to each other,” Olivia added. “It’s a good way to stay active and it’s a get away from studies.”
Olivia really means it when she talks about her studies too. Olivia wants to head into the medical field someday and eventually become a doctor and hopes to play college soccer. Those goals are reelected in how she spends her time.
“I focus my time on school and soccer,” Olivia said. “If I am not studying or playing soccer, I mostly spend time with my family and friends.”
At LHS, Olivia said her favorite class is Freshman Health Assisting.
“Health Assisting is probably the most interesting so far,” Olivia said. “I am very interested in learning how to help people medically.”
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