Off the bench, Olivia Nelson scores twice as Andrew tops Marist for ninth straight regional title. ‘Kind of a blur.'

Chicago Tribune

24-05-2025

Junior forward Olivia Nelson has been a bit of a secret weapon off the bench all season for Andrew.
Before she gets into the game, however, Nelson does her studying. And when her opportunity comes, she's ready.
'I'm monitoring the people up top in my position, especially Jules London, who I play the same spot as,' Nelson said. 'I check out the other team and see what they do and think about what we need to do to break through their defense.
'I try to keep the energy high on the bench and make it positive energy. When I get in, I want to use every moment I can on the field and I definitely want to take advantage.'
Nelson made the most of her chances Friday night. She recorded the first multigoal game of her high school career, scoring twice to lift the Thunderbolts to a 4-1 win over the host RedHawks in the Class 3A Marist Regional championship game in Chicago.
Emily Crotty added a goal and an assist, London scored a goal and Grace McGlynn chipped in with an assist for third-seeded Andrew (15-5-2), which won its ninth straight regional title.
The Thunderbolts will take on second-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (16-3) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in a Joliet West Sectional semifinal. The Knights won both regular-season games between the two.
Addison Woodward scored off an assist from Bridgette Kennedy for fifth-seeded Marist (11-9-2).
Nelson scored the first two goals of the game and earned rave reviews from Crotty.
'Coming in and banging in two goals is not easy against a strong defensive line, but she made it look easy,' Crotty said. 'She made great runs. She was great off the ball.
'It was just great play overall.'
Nelson got Andrew on the board in the 27th minute, tracking down the ball following a scramble off a throw-in and ripping in a shot from 20 yards.
'It was kind of a blur,' Nelson said. 'There was a lot of chaos, and sometimes I blank out in the moment, but we had some great connections down there. I definitely connected on the ball and finished.'
Nelson scored off an assist from Crotty just under 10 minutes later, knocking a shot off the inside of the far post and in from 15 yards.
That was Nelson's sixth goal of her varsity season. And what a time for her first two-goal game.
'It's very much perfect timing,' Nelson said. 'I was really excited. It means the world to me. This season has been an experience I've absolutely loved, and scoring to start us off in this game was incredible.
'Getting that first goal set us off. The adrenaline kicked up and we definitely took control.'
The Thunderbolts, who led 3-0 at halftime, are looking to make another deep playoff run after winning a sectional title last year.
'We try to hit our peak toward the end,' Crotty said. 'I think, in practice, we're dialed in. We're getting to that point. I'm excited to see what this team brings us.'
As for Friday's game and Nelson's heroics, it all went according to plan for Andrew coach Loren Zolk.
'I really like what 'Liv' does coming off the bench,' Zolk said. 'That's been her role all season. When the other team is starting to wear down a little bit and you bring in somebody that is that aggressive, strong and fast, it lifts our team a little bit.
'She does have a knack for scoring goals.'
In addition to her prowess at finding the net in soccer, Nelson is adept at hitting balls over the net as a tennis player.
'I think tennis has helped me with footwork for soccer and vice versa,' Nelson said. 'I love doing both. I love the excitement of new teams, new teammates, new coaching and even the after soccer or after tennis stuff, just hanging with teammates.
'I love that team dynamic.'