Olivia Sekany Explained

Olivia Sekany
Birth Date:29 December 1998
Birth Place:Livermore, California, United States
Height:6 ft 0 in
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Racing Louisville FC
Clubnumber:99
Youthclubs1:Pleasanton Rage
Collegeyears1:2017–2019
College1:California Golden Bears
Collegecaps1:13
Collegegoals1:0
Collegeyears2:2020–2022
College2:Washington Huskies
Collegecaps2:54
Collegegoals2:0
Clubs1:Racing Louisville FC
Years1:2023–
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Nationalteam1:United States U18
Nationalyears1:2016
Club-Update:July 21, 2023

Olivia Sekany (born December 29, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Youth career

Sekany attended Laurel Springs School and played club soccer for Elite Clubs National League team Pleasanton Rage.

College career

Cal Golden Bears, 2017–2019

Sekany attended the University of California, Berkeley and played for the California Golden Bears women's soccer team, where she redshirted her freshman year. She made 13 total appearances and played 953 minutes, saving 26 shots on target (57.8%) and recording two shutouts.[1]

Abuse investigation

Sekany was among at least nine players to issue a formal complaint in 2019 of alleged verbal and emotional abuse, bullying, hazing, punitive overtraining, and retaliation against Cal head coach Neil McGuire, with accusations of misconduct dating to 2016. The players, including Sekany, publicized the allegations in November 2020,[2] [3] leading to more than 20 additional players to report additional allegations by December.[4]

In April 2023, she was also one of three players to publicly criticize the university's response to their complaint.[5], McGuire remained head coach at Cal.[6]

University of Washington, 2020–2022

After graduating from Cal early in order to leave the influence of McGuire,[2] Sekany attended the University of Washington as a graduate-transfer redshirt junior and played for the Washington Huskies women's soccer team. The Huskies advanced to the 2020 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament round of 16, which included Sekany making two saves and scoring a goal in a penalty shoot-out against Saint Louis.[7] Sekany finished the season with a program-best 0.62 goals-against average, breaking a record previously held by Hope Solo. In her career with the Huskies, she played 4,826 minutes in 54 appearances, saving 152 shots on target (71.4%) and allowing 1.14 goals per match with 13 shutouts.[8]

Club career

Sekany registered for the 2023 NWSL Draft[9] but was not selected. NWSL club Racing Louisville FC invited her to preseason camp in January 2023.[10]

Racing Louisville FC, 2023–

On March 31, 2023, Sekany signed a one-year contract with Racing Louisville.[11]

Personal life

Olivia's mother Amy L. Sekany was appointed in 2018 by then-Governor Jerry Brown as a judge to the Alameda County Superior Court.[5] [12] Her father Jason Sekany was a second-round pick of the Boston Red Sox and played Minor League Baseball from 1996 to 2001.[1] [13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 Olivia Sekany . . July 21, 2023.
  2. News: Surviving the Game: Allegations of abuse in Cal's soccer program . November 22, 2020 . July 21, 2023 . . Claudia . Wong . Simone . Aponte.
  3. News: Former Cal women's soccer players accuse coach of bullying, intimidation . November 23, 2020 . July 21, 2023 . . Curtis . Pashelka.
  4. News: More athletes describe years of mistreatment by Cal soccer coach . December 16, 2020 . July 21, 2023 . . Claudine . Wong . Simone . Aponte.
  5. News: Players say UC Berkeley mishandled bullying claims against women's soccer coach . April 9, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . . Nanette . Asimov.
  6. Callahan Promoted to Associate Head Coach . March 10, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . California Golden Bears.
  7. News: UW goalkeeper Olivia Sekany's dream season continues after her penalty kick sent Huskies to Sweet 16 . . May 3, 2021 . July 21, 2023 . Scott . Hanson . subscription . live . https://archive.today/20230721192222/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-huskies/uw-goalkeeper-olivia-sekanys-dream-season-continues-after-her-penalty-kick-sent-huskies-to-sweet-16/ . July 21, 2023.
  8. Web site: 00 Olivia Sekany . . July 21, 2023.
  9. News: How the 2023 NWSL Draft works: Complete draft order, player pool, selection process, rules, trade windows . January 12, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . . Sandra . Herrera.
  10. News: Winds of change: Racing Louisville kicks off preseason training with optimism . January 25, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . . Eric . Crawford.
  11. Racing Signs Goalkeeper Olivia Sekany . March 31, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . OurSportsCentral . Racing Louisville FC.
  12. Governor Brown Appoints 25 Superior Court Judges . February 27, 2018 . July 21, 2023 . Office of the Governor of California.
  13. Web site: Jason Sekany . July 21, 2023 . Minor League Baseball.