This month's outside look features the Olivia Francis.

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By: Santiago Ortega​

Santiago: We are here with Olivia Francis, [a] D1 commit. How are you?

Olivia: I’m good, thank you. How are you?

Santiago: I’m good. First of all, congratulations, obviously, on your achievement… we have some questions about your achievement and your success that we want to share with the readers of The Hawkeye. So, first off, what made you choose Saint Peter’s University? For those who don’t know, that is where she’s going, a D1 school. So what made you choose Saint Peter’s University?

Olivia: I think it’s closer to home, it’s close to New York City, and the soccer program is definitely something that I took into consideration. The coaches were really friendly, as they had been at one of my combines, and they’re very open and transparent about what they wanted with the program and where they’re heading to in 2025. 

Santiago: That’s good. I mean, you love to see transparency and stuff and if you like the coaches it should go well for you obviously.

Olivia: Yeah, most definitely, and academically I feel like that’s something I want to pursue, in terms of their standings.
 

Santiago: Talking about academics… what do you plan to study while you’re there?
Olivia: I’m doing clinical laboratory sciences. I’m not sure, it’s connected to Rutgers University. But in terms of those 4 years, I’m not sure. I’m still remaining pretty open with what I want to major in but that is my main focus at the moment. 

Santiago: And with all of that, what is your end goal right now? Is it something in the sciences or something with soccer? What is the end goal after university?
Olivia: I think my end goal would be to finish university as education is my top priority. But, in terms of soccer, if I were to look into proceeding with soccer after university, I would probably want to join the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) or possibly the northern league (Northern Super League) that’s happening here in Canada that’s debuting in a couple of days (April 16, 2025 was the league’s inaugural match). So, I feel like that would be a big aspiration and goal for me: playing back here in Canada.

Santiago: For sure. I didn’t even know there was a league coming, that sounds interesting. Hopefully that works out for you. Talking about your career, though, what do you think, looking back, has been your biggest achievement you feel so far in your career or even just in life in general?
Olivia: I would definitely say being called up to the U-17 women’s national team for the Philippines. I think in terms of goals, going back to a previous point, I’d want to debut and officially cap (make a FIFA-sanctioned appearance with the senior team) on my next camp, hopefully, and make a bigger impact if possible. 

Santiago: With the Philippines women’s team?
Olivia: Yeah.

Santiago: Oh, okay, that’s cool. What do you think you’re going to miss most about Canada when you’re over there in the States and, you know, just living here, being here?
Olivia: I think I’m definitely going to miss having the same atmosphere. I feel like no matter where I go, everywhere’s going to be welcoming but I think in Canada it’s just a different sense of home and I’m going to definitely miss my friends, my teammates. Being abroad I’m going to miss my family, even though we’re going to connect all the time, I think it’s just different being abroad and being away for so long. I think soccer is going to help me carry certain values along the way, so I feel like I don’t want to lose myself, but at the same time I know that being connected to my roots of soccer and family morals, I’ll be fine. 

Santiago: That’s great to hear. That’s okay, like, it’s good you’re close with your family and stuff and, I mean, that’s what really matters in the end you know what I mean?
Olivia: Yeah, for sure.

Santiago: For sure. Well, I wish you the best, all the success. It’s going to work out perfectly and [I] hope to see you back here in 4 years playing in the [Northern Super League].
Olivia: Thank you.
 

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