Four years ago, at just 18 years old, Olivia Van der Jagt was facing off against OL Reign veterans like Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes at Husky Soccer Stadium. A Kent, Washington, native, Van der Jagt was wrapping up her freshman year at the University of Washington and playing in the Huskies’ spring season, which included a match against OL Reign during the NWSL club’s preseason.
Fast forward to today, and Van der Jagt is yet again battling with Fishlock and Barnes — although this time in a much different setting: at training every day as a rookie suiting up for her hometown club.