Chapter Closed: Soccer player hangs up her cleats

Every high-level athlete will eventually see their sports career come to an end, but it's the memories that will last forever.

After four years as a starter with the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules’ soccer team, Olivia Carda officially hangs up her cleats to begin the next chapter of her life. Though her final season was challenging, Carda managed to make the best of it by working hard to make her team better.

“I think we overcame a lot of adversity this season with our injuries and how young we were,” Carda said. “Overall, we did an amazing job of keeping that record over 500, working together as a team, and overcoming all of the challenges we faced. I think it was a great season, especially in my last one.”

Carda helped the Lady Mules to a 12-8 record while recording 11 shutouts and going 7-2 in their final games. She recorded 20 goals with a great number of assists and had one of her best games this season against Sikeston by collecting six goals.

Despite the solid season, Carda had to deal with injuries of her own earlier in the season, which could've put her senior year in jeopardy. She suffered from a hip pointer in the very first game of our season, which held her out for about a week because she couldn’t walk or run. She also suffered an ankle injury and a stress fracture due to playing in the middle of the season, but with a lot of physical therapy, Carda could push past it all.

“I am quite pleased with my senior season because I was able to push past my setbacks to keep playing,” she said. “It meant a lot for me to finish strong because this season was very special. Obviously, I wanted to make a strong run in the playoffs, but closing this chapter was so satisfying knowing that I worked hard throughout the season.”

From her freshman season to her last, Carda said there had been signs of growth each season and noticed how far she’s come with playing and being a leader on the field. A key skill she wanted to improve was her positioning on the field, and one would say she accomplished that by leading the Lady Mules in goals this season.

Senior Olivia Carda drives down the field against Jackson High. Carda helped the Lady Mules to a 12-8 record while recording 11 shutouts and going 7-2 in their final games. She recorded 20 goals with a great number of assists and had one of her best games this season against Sikeston by collecting six goals.DAR/D�Courtland Christian

“I have always been an offensive player and the one trying to get the ball into the back of the net,” Carda said. “This year, I played a lot of different positions to fill those gaps we had due to injury. I played some defense, a little at midfield and wing. Overall, I could feel myself getting better at the game, and it felt great.

Defensive player Sydney Kramer and goalie Nevaeh Larkins are making an exit alongside Carda. Carda believes that they have all taught the girls that no matter how big or small you are or what skill set you have, the key is to work hard and put 110% effort into it. When a team plays that way, anything can happen.

Earlier this season, head coach Rusty Crafton said Carda was the engine that kept them going, and it would be difficult to replace a player with such a high skill set.

“It's very sad to think that I'm not going to have Coach Crafton as a coach ever again,” Carda said. “I know that we have a special bond, especially on the field. If I ever needed to come back to get some coaching experience like I want to do when I get older, I know he would be right there to help me every step of the way and welcome me back with open arms.”

Carda plans to attend Three Rivers College and major in secondary education to be a teacher. She will follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather to become a PE teacher.

“Playing soccer was very fun, and I will truly miss it, but it is my time to hang the cleats up and let my body rest a bit.”