OLYMPIA, WA
In the famous words of one Michael Buffer, “let’s get ready to rumble!”
Coming off two consecutive Northwest Conference titles, USL W League national tournament appearances and numerous player graduations to the professional ranks, the FC Olympia women’s side will have a new look going into their third year this summer.
First off, moving from a player and former captain in 2023 to an assistant coach last year, Kellyn Green will take on her new role as the manager of the club.
“This transition hasn’t been as crazy as it looks on paper,” the alum of South Dakota State University said. “My playing career has really prepared me to be a coach. I have played every field player position over the last 20 years in college, USL and WPSL, giving me an in-depth knowledge of the game from every angle. As a natural center midfielder and center back, analyzing the game, solving problems and communicating have been the keys to my success as a player. These are traits that I view are essential to have success as a coach.
“The transition has felt so natural. I have had so many good and bad experiences with coaches as a player. Now as a coach, I can use those experiences to create a positive team environment where my players feel safe to be creative, compete and push themselves outside their comfort zone.”
Green will also bring a whole new coaching staff with a wealth of experience with her, all of whom have experience of coaching in college and a couple playing professionally.
Those joining Green include former alum of the club and newly named Assistant Coach Micaela Castain, Assistant Coach Nicole Nsa, Assistant Coach Marco Monzon, Director of Goalkeeping Erin Smith, Assistant Goalkeeper Coach Alli Smith and Director of Player Performance Aaron Sanchez.
Although there will be a lot of changes across many facets of the club, Green will be bringing back a few familiar faces to the roster as Blayke Warner, Brooklyn Lee, Caroline Studebaker, Hannah Boughton, Honoka Hamano, Jourdyn Curran, Kailee Wilson, Kayla Chatman-Haggerty and Shu Ohba all return to Olympia for their second or third seasons, respectively.
Given the path-to-pro mentality and the success of the club over the last few years, turnover is inevitable with over 20 alums now playing at the professional level all over the world. This also includes former manager, Ben Willis, who is currently the goalkeeper coach and interim head coach in the professional ranks at Lexington SC in the USL Super League.
With the amount of change happening, questions will be raised whether the group will be as talented as in previous years, but Green and her staff have answered the call this offseason and she believes this group has a special mentality they’re coming in with.
“This group of players truly wants to take their soccer development and careers into their own hands,” Green said. “They are looking to put themselves in an environment outside of their comfort zone and get themselves to the next level. Many players aspire to play professionally but this group isn’t just dreaming about it, they are pushing themselves in a new setting to make that dream a reality. And we have more players from all over the country and world than our two previous seasons.”
Coming to Olympia this season, there is a national player of the year, multiple college national championship winners, several All-Americans and numerous other successful players from national powers at the collegiate level. Many of whom have already been on the pro mentality path Green mentioned training in professional environments.
Just a few of those new notables include Sunshine Fontes (UCLA), Faith Nguyen (UCLA/Texas Tech University), Ginny Lackey (James Madison University), Eleanor Morrissey (USC), Kenzie Roling (University of Iowa) and Hayden Colson (Auburn University).
Given the number of new players from all over the country, one test FC Olympia as a club has embraced head on is how to integrate both players from the region with players who have never experienced the beautiful Pacific Northwest before in such a short season.
However, it’s a challenge that has become a staple of the team’s strong culture and has made the program unique compared to others in the region.
“The team setting feels tighter knit and some really great friendships are formed quickly between the players,” Green said, who played for various local USL and WPSL clubs in her playing days. “They not only spend a lot of time on the field together, but they spend their free time together exploring all there is to do and see around the beautiful state of Washington. Players learn to trust, rely on and support each other on and off the field so much faster than teams full of local players with local support systems already in place. I love seeing the great friendships that form in such a short time.”
For players not from the area, coming to the Pacific Northwest also provides a special opportunity and can create a memorable experience in their lives going forward.
“I have never been to any west coast state aside from California,” Colson said. “I am excited to spend time in a new place and see the natural beauty in that part of the country. While also doing what I love on the field.”
“I am most looking forward to the chance to challenge myself in a completely new environment – on and off the field,” Roling added. “The regions competitive soccer training and competition alongside the beautiful scenery make it the perfect place to grow as a soccer player and person this summer. I am super excited to go hiking, do all the sightseeing, and of course, go to the lakes!”
On the flipside, Lee, who is from Tacoma, went to Stadium High School and now plays at the University of Louisville, has a wholesome view when it comes to her thoughts on coming home for the summer to play in Olympia.
“Something that has intrigued me about Olympia and makes me want to represent the community is being able to be a role model and someone younger players can look up to,” Lee, who is in her second year with the club, said. “Growing up, I had role models that pushed me to be better because I wanted to be like them. The opportunity to play for Olympia allows me to give back to this community.”
The first chance to catch Colson, Roling, Lee and others in action will be on May 18 at home against the other last remaining inaugural year rival, Lane United. The game will also feature the newly formed pop-up stadium at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.
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