She had already made her decision and was confident in it and when her pen touched the acceptance letter to continue her soccer career at Alderson-Broaddus University, Mikayla Oliverio remembers exactly what was going through her mind.

 

“I was very excited and nervous at the same time, realizing that I am actually going to be going to college next year and playing soccer at the next level,” she said. “It’s something you always think about when you’re younger and can’t wait to do. And I can’t wait to do that.”

 

Oliverio, members of her family and her travel soccer coach gathered early Wednesday evening at the Bridgeport High School library for the signing to make it official. This fall, Oliverio will attend A-B where she will participate in the university’s nursing program. She is attending on both athletic and academic scholarships. Although she considered other schools, including one in Florida, she said she preferred the Philippi school for a number of reasons.

 

“It’s a small campus and I know a few of the girls who play soccer there. I look forward to playing with them,” she said. “And I also know Head Coach Cristian Materazzi. It’s just the whole thing. I’m excited to be able to start to grow up and kind of be more independent and playing at the next level, bettering my skills.”

 

Oliverio has played soccer since she was about four years old.

 

“My brothers were older. They started playing and I always joined in with them,” she said. “I’ve always had an interest in it and stuck with it.”

 

After playing for Bridgeport Soccer Association’s youth league, Oliverio played one year of middle school soccer before devoting to travel league, playing year-round.

 

She has played with the Bridgeport Celtics, Mountain State Soccer Club and Morgantown-based club and travel soccer.

 

Oliverio played four years of soccer for the Lady Indians.

 

 

During her freshman year, the team won the state Class AA championship after defeating Charleston Catholic in the semifinals and Fairmont Senior in the championship game.

 

Throughout her high school career, she played midfielder and forward. She said she likes both positions, but favors midfield.

 

“At midfield, you’re kind of in control of the field. You’re the main person and you distribute passes and have to have a good touch. You know where to play the ball and you kind of have to be smart about the game. That’s what I like about it,” she said.

 

But Oliverio said she learned much more from BHS soccer than meets the eye.

 

“It’s very important that you always play as a team and that you get along with the girls. If you have good chemistry with the girls, you’re going to pass better, communicate better and work better together. I think that’s a really important factor in stepping up to the next level.”

 

Since the 2015 BHS soccer season concluded, Oliverio continues to play club and travel soccer, as well as lifting and doing speed, agility and technical training on top of regular practices.

 

She will be ready for her debut with the A-B Battlers, she said.

 

Editor’s Note: Pictured above are (front, left to right) Chris Oliverio (dad), Mikayla Oliverio and Becky Oliverio (mom) and (back) Josh Oliverio (brother), Pam Oliverio (aunt), John Oliverio Jr. (uncle), John Oliverio Sr. (grandfather), Broc Oliverio (cousin), Janean Oliverio (aunt), Ned Kelly (friend and former travel coach). Not pictured is Airman Christopher Oliverio (brother).