RISING STAR: USC's Kristin Olsen

• by Bryan Alvarez  @somuser, Oct 24, 2008

SOCCER AMERICA profiles USC goalkeeper Kristin Olsen. The Women of Troy face archrival UCLA Friday in their biggest match since last year's Women's College Cup at which they upset the Bruins in the semifinals en route to their first women's soccer national championship. Olsen, now a junior, was a big part of USC's success in 2007, earning Defensive MVP honors at the final four, and will be in goal on Friday when USC tries to break the NCAA women's soccer attendance record.

POSITION: Goalkeeper
AGE: 20
COLLEGE: University of Southern California
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Orange, CA
HIGH SCHOOL: Villa Park HS
YOUTH CLUB: Southern California Blues
INTERNATIONAL: U-20s (USA)
STARTING OUT: Soccer was always my main passion. I started in the field and moved to goalkeeper my freshman year in high school.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: My club team always aimed for state and regional championships. When I was in U-15s, we won the State Cup and got to go to Regionals in Hawaii.
FIRST CLEATS: Adidas, I think. My mom got the cheap pairs until I proved that I was going to stick with soccer.
CURRENT CLEATS: Nikes.
OTHER SPORTS: I played softball, ran track and picked up basketball. I played club volleyball and I loved it! I figured I'd go farther with soccer in college. It's hard not playing volleyball any more.
FAVORITE TEAMS: USC Football. I love going to games. We know some of the guys on the team so it's fun to watch your friends play.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Nobody sticks out.
FAVORITE MOVIES: Finding Nemo, She's the Man and Remember the Titans.
FAVORITE ACTOR: Patrick Dempsey.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Amanda Bynes.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: One Tree Hill.
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: Socially, I love it! There is so much school spirit here. In the athletic group we're all connected. Soccer-wise, I wanted to go where I could make a difference and help out. I can't see myself anywhere else. It was great to win a national championship my sophomore year.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): I have two pieces of advice. The first is don't be arrogant. Pick up your trash after games. Even though we're at a high profile school, it's not all about you. We need to work together as a team. The second bit of advice is came from Zak Abdel my old goalkeeper coach. He told me to be a tiger! That's always in the back of my mind.
HOBBIES: I like to hang out with friends, watch TV and sleep. I probably sleep more than I'm awake!
MUSIC: I like everything, country, rap and rock. The only thing I don't like is metal.
READING: I am a magazine person. I don't really like reading.
VACATION: I hate traveling. I'm deathly afraid of flying. I really liked Hawaii.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: John Wooden. He has a lot of good quotes and is a smart guy. It would be cool to play some soccer with David Beckham, too.