FRA
Meet Jane Olcott.
Jane Olcott, a senior midfielder for Xavier University’s Women’s Soccer Team, is a standout talent hailing from Potomac, Maryland. With an impressive journey that spans over the years, Jane’s dedication and passion for the sport have been unwavering.
From her earliest memories, Jane has been immersed in the world of soccer. Guided by her father’s deep love for the game, she took her first steps onto the field at the tender age of 5. Her two soccer-loving sisters joined her in this pursuit, creating a competitive and nurturing environment that fueled her desire to continually elevate her skills.
Jane’s youth soccer career was spent with the Bethesda Soccer Club, where she honed her talents and formed enduring bonds with teammates and mentors alike. It was during her sophomore year of high school that she made the pivotal decision to commit to Villanova University, a testament to her dreams of playing college soccer.
However, Jane’s journey took a transformative turn when she transferred to Xavier University in the spring of 2022. Seeking a fresh chapter and a program that prioritized team culture and championship aspirations, she found her new home at Xavier. The decision to transfer proved to be a game-changer, enriching her life with lasting relationships and unforgettable experiences, and the title of team captain.
To Jane, being a team captain means accepting resposibility, nurturing relationships, and building trust.
Q: What does it mean to you to be the team captain for a team like Xavier University Women’s Soccer?
A: It is a huge honor to be a captain for this team, especially for a team of this caliber. Being a team captain means accepting responsibility for your team and I was ready to take on that role. Only being at Xavier for a year and a half, I wanted to make it a goal of mine when I first transferred here to really build authentic relationships with my teammates and coaches. I knew if I wanted to become a leader I had to truly learn who my teammates were at a personal level. As a captain at my previous school as well, I had experience being a leader and was confident in myself to help push this team far. I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in today if it weren’t for my teammates and the trust that they have in me.
As Captain, Jane embraces confidence as a key quality in leadership.
Q: What are the top 3 qualities or characteristics you believe are essential for a successful team captain in soccer?
A: I think one of the biggest qualities to have as a successful team captain is confidence. A confident team captain has a clear vision as to where they want the team to go and will do anything to get the team to reach their highest potential. One of the biggest realizations I’ve had throughout my college career is that not everyone is going to like you–and that is fine. It is important to have confidence in yourself and how you guide those around you.
You have to be willing to give some tough love to others and have confidence in yourself that you’re pushing your team in the direction. Another essential quality to be a successful team captain is to show compassion to others. Everyone is dealing with their own battles everyday and a good leader is able to show empathy to others. It’s also super important to be able to listen as a captain too. Lastly, a team captain has to have a competitive edge and be compelled to win. You have to have the belief in yourself and your teammates that you can win and perform no matter the circumstances.
Jane’s parents have played a vital role in shaping her confidence and teaching her the importance of self-compassion, both on and off the field.
Q: Are there any individuals, either within or outside of soccer, who have played a significant role in shaping your leadership style or athletic career? How have they influenced you?
A: My parents have played a significant role in the way I carry myself on and off the field. They have shaped me into a confident young woman and, even more importantly, they have taught me the importance of being able to show kindness to myself when I make mistakes. They have also helped me understand that my identity extends far beyond just being a soccer player. I am someone who leads by example and my parents have absolutely helped shape my leadership style.
XUWS is like a family.
Q: How would you describe the overall team dynamic and camaraderie among the XUWS squad this season?
A: This team is like a family. This is a really close knit group of girls and I cannot wait to see where the season goes with this group. Our program really prides itself on building authentic relationships with one another. I think everyone is just really hungry to win the Big East regular season and conference tournament. We are all trying to prove people wrong. We all feel really aligned and ready to get after it as we enter conference play.
Training: where fun, friendship, and focused competition come together.
Q: What’s your favorite part about training?
A: My favorite thing about training is just being able to have fun and compete with my best friends. We understand the balance of knowing when to joke around and when it is time to be serious and get down to business. I also love just hanging out with my friends and my trainer in the training room before practice. It’s always so fun just getting to catch up with your teammates and chill before going out to play.
Pre-game acai fueling victories, one bowl at a time.
Q: Do you have any specific rituals or routines that you follow on game days to help you and the team perform at your best?
A: Besides getting to the locker room early to get some treatment/recovery in, my teammates and I love to go get acai bowls at our favorite spot in the morning. It has honestly become a superstition at this point when we have home games. It is a delicious meal that makes us feel ready and energized for the game.
Janes Favorite Memory: an energizing win against Louisville.
Q: Can you share a memorable game day moment or match that stands out to you in your time as captain?
A: My favorite game thus far has probably been the Louisville game. I’d say they are a “rival” of ours just because of proximity but this was definitely a game of who had the most momentum. We had probably the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at the field in my tenure here. The energy was awesome and we wound up winning 2-0. It was a great win against a strong ACC team and it really set the tone for the rest of the non-conference season.
Siri, play “X Gon’ Give it To Ya!”
Q: What’s your go-to song to get pumped up before a big game? Or… Any team favorites?
A: Our team’s go-to favorite to play in the locker room is “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” by DMX. We play it before every single game, literally.
Jane’s Dream Match: running up and down the iconic pitch at Old Trafford.
Q: If you could play a soccer match anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
A: I would love to play at Old Trafford. I am a huge Manchester United fan, so I’d definitely love to play in their stadium. I took a tour of Old Trafford once a couple of years ago and it was just incredible!
Fashioning the Future: Jane’s post-grad dreams.
Q: What are your aspirations for life after graduation? Do you see soccer playing a role in your future endeavors, or do you have other career paths in mind?
A: I really don’t know what I want to do after graduation. I’ve thought about continuing to play after school, but I’m not sure what I’d like to do. I’m a marketing major and have enjoyed this concentration, so I’d ideally do something in the marketing field.
I have always loved fashion and really enjoyed my experience as a marketing intern for a luxury brand last summer, so I think exploring the fashion industry is definitely in the cards for me in the future at some point. It is kind of stressful to think about, but I am grateful that I have options after I graduate!
“One more… just one more.”
Q: Do you have a mantra or a quote that you “live by”? (one that you find most influential in terms of your soccer performance) or Is there a particular saying that serves as a driving force for you on the field?
A: I don’t have a saying while I’m actually on the field playing but I do tell myself this one saying whenever I run fitness. In my head I tell myself, “One more.” This actually really helps me when I run our preseason fitness test–The Yo Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. When I start to get really tired and feel like dropping out, I tell myself before each level, “one more.” In my opinion, the test challenges you more mentally than physically so I came up with this saying over the years while I was training for it. It’s just something that helps push me and feel confident that I can get to the next level and keep going.
Advice for a younger Jane: Everything that is meant to be, will be.
Q: If you could give a younger version of yourself any piece of advice, what would it be?
A: I would tell my younger self that everything works out and not to worry so much. I think I got so caught up in the recruiting process and stressed so much about picking a school. It’s hard not to, but I worried so much about who was watching and was really hard on myself at times. Everything that is meant to be, will be. I would tell myself to enjoy every little second of soccer because it really goes by so, so fast.
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