Sports
Ohio Soccer: Olivia Sensky is a physical presence for the Ohio defense
By: Michael Roth
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Despite just being a Sophomore, Olivia Sensky has established herself as a constant presence in the Ohio soccer defense.
After starting in 16 games during her freshman season, Sensky has started in every game her Sophomore season.
Despite being a younger member of the starting rotation, she is still viewed as a leader by her teammates.
“Being younger it’s a little bit more difficult to speak up but it’s nice to have teammates around you that respect you,” Sensky said.
The transition to becoming a vocal leader for Ohio has been a natural one for Sensky, as that has been her role on every team she’s played on.
“I am more of a vocal leader than not and I’ve had that role on multiple teams that I’ve been on,” Sensky said.
“That’s kind of the person that she is, she is an intense competitor and wants the very best for her team,” Rodgers said. “Some people have a trait that leadership quality comes more natural to them. She (Olivia) wanted to be in that role and has played that role on her club and high school team before coming here.
Ohio likes to play physically in the back line and Sensky is the main enforcer of that unit.
“Especially for center backs we have to be physical, especially in our league people play a lot of balls in and balls in the air,” Ohio Head Coach Aaron Rodgers said. “We ask a lot of them to be physical not only with strength but also speed and agility.”
“You have to be physical in the back but you also have to be smart about it because you can’t be giving up free-kicks,” Sensky said.
The Bobcats defense has had lots of success this season, only allowing nine goals in eight conference games.
Sensky likes to play out the back and takes lots of long-range free kicks for the Bobcats. This has allowed her to collect three assists in her Bobcat career.
“We ask our center backs to set play and be confident on the ball,” Rodgers said. “That can play or dribble out and both of those players (Olivia and Victoria Breeden) do an amazing job of that.”
Ohio is currently up to fifth place in the MAC standings, with 13 points after eight conference games.
With only three games left in the regular season Sensky’s Sophomore year is almost over. With center-back partner Victoria Breeden graduating this year, Sensky could become a mentor for whoever fills in Breeden’s shoes.