Oliva Bretz played in 14 matches as a true freshman at Central Michigan but didn't like losing so many matches.
When Olivia Bretz decided to transfer from Central Michigan to play soccer at Centre College, she got a text from her cousin reminding her of the good times they had at the Centre soccer camp when they were growing up.
Bretz, a 2023 Lexington Catholic High School graduate, said Centre coach Jay Hoffman told her at the camp when she was in third or fourth grade that she would eventually play for the Colonels.
“My mom and Jay’s wife went to college together. Me and my cousin were always the youngest in the middle school camp because we went when we were in the third, fourth and fifth grades,” Bretz said. “I eventually went back to the camp my junior year for the overnight camp. Me and my cousin looked forward to the camp so much. I still have evaluation sheets we got then and even camp shirts we made.”
She certainly has a soccer bloodline. Her father, Todd, is the Lexington Catholic boys soccer coach. She has an older sister playing at Thomas More University.
Bretz started seven games and played in 14 matches as a true freshman at Central Michigan but also suffered her second significant ankle injury in a year.
“Not being able to play because of the injury and being far away from home was hard on me. The first time my recruiting came down to Central (Michigan) or Centre. I knew this time I was going to Centre,” she said. “I knew Jay and the community at Centre was insane and how close and happy they all are. Jay knows everyone and is super cool.”
It made it easier that one of her best friends from high school, Mary Martin Hampton, was also transferring to Centre after spending last year at Florida and then Ole Miss. The two are roommates at Centre.
“There were so many times in high school where I hit a long ball to her and she touched it in (the goal). I want to recreate that and both of us want to make a huge impact and help Centre go far in the (NCAA) tournament,” Bretz, who had one goal and one assist while averaging 56 minutes per game in the first five matches, said.
“I have big expectations for what I want. Hopefully we can win the conference and go to the (NCAA) Final Four. I believe in reaching for the stars.”
Centre is off to a 5-1-1 start going into Sunday’s home match with Roanoke. Bretz already has two goals in one assist while averaging about 55 minutes per match. She has started all seven matches.
Her high school team reached the state title game her sophomore season and also played in the Elite Eight and Final Four in other seasons.
“We did not win a lot at Central and I was not used to that,” she said. “We had six ties and eight losses. I just was not comfortable with that and knew coming here and winning would be a huge difference that I needed.”
