Women's Soccer | September 15, 2023

The road less taken. Those words have never been as true as they are to University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer standout Olivia Pall. 

Pall, a 5-10 forward from Harrison, Ark., was a multi-sport student-athlete growing up. The standout played basketball, soccer and ran cross country throughout her younger days. 

After her sophomore season, Pall stopped playing basketball because of her love for her soccer teammates and the atmosphere on the squad. She continued with cross country for another year but stopped prior to her senior year due to an injury.

Most student-athletes play on various club teams but Pall did not have that opportunity. Due to her location, she would have had to travel three hours to compete on a high-level team. 

Growing up, her dad coached her team until high school. At that point, she competed with her high school team and played in a small league in Springfield, Mo., but that was it. Soccer outside of those teams was not something the multi-sport Pall did. 

She led her team to the state semifinals as a senior and was asked to play in the all-star game. Pall showcased her skills in that match and was named MVP. That award helped her realize she could play with other people and compete at a high level.

After the all-star game, Pall considered trying to play in college. Her high school coach posted about it on social media at the end of May/early June of her senior year. The coach's former college teammate knew USC Aiken men's soccer head coach Ike Ofoje and he passed along her information to the former USC Aiken women's soccer staff. 

A few coaches reached out to Pall but most were unsure of the standout without having club ball experience. 

Pall flew to South Carolina to see family. In the middle of the summer, she and her father got a tour of campus and she committed to USC Aiken at that point.

Despite committing extremely late in the process, Pall had continued to be in top shape and it showed immediately. Although she did not know the fitness test, Pall pushed aside her nerves and compete with in the fitness test. Even without training for it specifically, Pall passed the test.

In addition to passing the test in the early going, she had to adjust to a group of teammates who had started bonding earlier in the summer. Her teammates were extremely welcoming to her and Pall did what she always did – worked hard and put it all on the line.

Her effort did not go unnoticed as she saw time in 14 matches, earning 10 starts. Pall was second on the team with three goals and an assist for seven points. She notched scores in the win over Erskine and a pair of goals, along with an assist, in the victory over Allen. 

Pall was injured early in the 2023 preseason and is working her way back currently. With all that she's overcome in a short time – from thinking she was going to attend the University of Arkansas to playing for USC Aiken – Pall will continue to thrive in her rehab and she will continue to shine on the pitch. 

A Closer Look
Olivia Pall, Women's Soccer