“It feels like a dream.”

Senior Prior Lake girls soccer captain Keira Olabode explains how it felt to commit to the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) where she received the opportunity to play college soccer. 

It is a dream for many high school athletes to play their sport in college. However, becoming a college athlete takes hard work and dedication. 

Having a strong support system is one of the biggest blessings a student-athlete can have.

“I couldn’t imagine not having my parents and a support system with me every step of the way through my soccer career,” Keira said. “Having a coach in your high school program that you trust and who will support you in any way they can is a blessing. I don’t know what I’d do without Coach Lissick.” 

Mr. Lissick is the assistant varsity coach for Prior Lake girl’s soccer who has been coaching Keira for the past four years.

“My favorite part of being a part of the Prior Lake girls soccer program is definitely the bonds and relationships I have created with the girls and coaches,” Keira said.

Keira has been a part of the Prior Lake girl’s soccer program since her freshman year, but she he has been playing soccer since she was three years old. 

“It is weird to think that I have been playing soccer since I was in preschool,” Keira said. “It is really important for me to bring all of those life lessons that I have learned from PLGS to Duluth.”

Keira’s mom, Rebecca Olabode, has always been very involved in Keira’s soccer career and will always be her number one fan.

“Ever since she was little, she’d be kicking a soccer ball all around the house,” Mrs. Olabode said. “She would always talk about how important it was for her to be a varsity player on the Prior Lake soccer team. Now she is a Bulldog and will continue her career at UMD, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.” 

Keira appreciates the influence her mom has had on her life and soccer career.

“My mom is definitely my role model and my biggest supporter,” Keira said. “One of the biggest things she has taught me is confidence and hard work. I couldn’t even count the number of times I would come home crying to my mom after a bad game saying how bad I wanted to quit and didn’t think I could play at the next level,” Keira said.

Ever since Keira was little she dreamed of playing college soccer, specifically at UMD.

“I had many doubts if I even wanted to play in college, but then I would think about how I would feel if I didn’t play soccer again,“ Keira said. “Ultimately, the answer was I would be pretty miserable so that was how I decided I wanted to play soccer in college.” 

Keira explained how before she decided to commit to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, she considered all possibilities. Keira knew she always wanted to play soccer there, but she was curious if UMD would fit her academic needs.

“I always second-guess myself in everything I do, so it is really important for me to weigh out all possibilities before making big decisions,” Keira said.

Academics is something Keira really works at and takes pride in.

“I plan on becoming a Physician’s Assistant and getting a minor in psychology, so something I needed to make sure is that UMD offers an opportunity for students to major in Biology,” Keira said.

Knowing that the University of Minnesota-Duluth allows Keira to pursue her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant gives Keira lots of reassurance UMD will be a good place for her.

“Ultimately, I knew I made the right decision committing to UMD,” Keira said.