Oliver Elphick started playing soccer his sophomore year and having never played before he was put on junior varsity. Over the summer, he practiced every day and when it came time for tryouts, his junior year he was put on varsity and all his hard work had payed off. He also played varsity his senior year and it was then that Garden City Community College took interest in him.  

The season was going really well for him and Senior Night was expected to be like any other game, but it was not. Seven minutes into the first half a slide tackle gone wrong left him with a broken leg. After two months of being in the cast he was finally able to get back to doing what he loved most, playing soccer. After months of hard work getting back to who he was before the break he was finally there and ready to start his first college soccer season.

What were your first thoughts when you had your first practice?

“I was really nervous and really scared to put myself out there, mostly just watching people to see how the play and how they play and how good they were.”

Do you like your coach? Why?

“I love my coach, he expects the best out of us and that’s what we give him everyday he is also super fun and really funny.”

What do you think of your teammates?

“My teammates are the best that any player could ask for, they are all really understanding and respect one another, even helping eachother out.”

Do you play well with your new teammates?

“I still feel like I’m learning how they play but with each scrimmage I make better runs and play off of them even better.”

Do you think you’ve improved?

“I think I’ve improved 10 fold, my touches are so much better than they were, and my knowledge of the field is so much better. I can see the field with more understanding see runs and passes that I couldn’t see in high school.”

How has the season been?

“Our season is going amazing. We have only lost two game and tied one, we are currently 10-1-2”

What are you going to study?

“I am here to study Computer Science, to hopefully go into a programming field once I graduate.”

What’re your plans after college?

“I hope to get married and settle down, just living the life with my family and being able to fully support us.”

What do you think about being so far away from home?

“Being away from home is hard, I miss so many people, mostly my girlfriend, my mom and brother. I spent most of my time with those three people and they are the most important. Being away from my friends and having to make new ones weird but it is a lot easier because of the team. Being on the team just kinda gives you friends right off the bat.”