When she was little, Olivia LaCasto used to tag along to Friday night soccer skills clinics and watch her older brother and sister play. She was too young to participate, so she stood on the sidelines and did the drills with her father. When she was four years old, she made him an offer.
“I told my dad if he coached me, I would play,” says LaCasto. “And then I just kept getting into it.”
The Rosary Academy senior is now in her fourth year as a varsity player for the Royals and is drawn to the game for its unpredictability.
“You never know what you’re going to get, and you never know what the outcome is going to be,” says LaCasto. “Even if one team is dominating the game, they’re not always the team to win. And so it’s really surprising for each game.”
As a captain, the 18-year-old takes her influence on her teammates seriously.
“I really like having this role because there [are] underclassmen on the team and they really look up to you,” says LaCasto of being a captain. “You’re seen as sort of a role model for them. It’s really nice to have that leadership position and be able to carry on the legacy of Rosary soccer.”
Rosary varsity soccer head coach, Sean Melendez, feels that the All-CIF and All-Trinity League player has done plenty to cement her legacy on the program.
“Olivia has been a huge part of Rosary soccer and is a great representation of the program both on and off the field,” says Melendez. “Her leadership has been so valuable to our younger players.”
In her final year at Rosary, LaCasto is going to miss the unique experience that comes with competing as a Royal.
“I think I’m going to miss wearing Rosary on my chest,” says LaCasto. “That’s a big part of what we stand for, and nobody really knows what it’s all about until you’re actually there living it. I think I’ll miss being with the sisterhood and having that every day.”
The Huntington Beach resident has committed to play soccer for Loyola Marymount University where she will study English with the hopes of pursuing a career as a speech therapist.
Grateful to her parents for their support and for providing her the opportunity to play the sport she loves, LaCasto is also thankful to be attending a school where she can freely share her faith.
“Faith is a huge part of my life, and I think keeping God as a priority really translates into all aspects,” says LaCasto. “And so I like that at Rosary we’re able to share our faith with each other, and pray before games. We don’t pray to win. We mostly pray to stay safe, and we pray that if we win we stay humble and that if we lose we stay hopeful.”