Oliver Shah '21 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing soccer since I was 5 years old, and moving to club soccer at the age of 6. I played with Stanford Soccer Club under the direction of Juan Mayora for several years. Later, I rejoined Stanford Soccer Club under the direction on Vava Marques (US National Team Futsal Coach) and Armando Luna. I have been coached by both Gio Luna and Armando Luna on the  Stanford Soccer Club 03Boys Black team in the NorCal Premier League. I have also had the honor to guest play on other teams at their request.  I have chosen to not play on my high school soccer team due to the superior nature of the coaching at my Club.

I’m very interested in playing at the collegiate level for a reputable soccer program in a university with a strong academic program. My current areas of interest for academics lie in Civil Engineering and Architecture.

The strengths I bring to my team include my leadership skills in being the Defensive Team Captain as well as my skills on the field. I have an excellent ability to read the field and help direct players to make the best plays possible. I have role versatility in that both feet are dominant so I can play not only center back but also right back, left back, and as a defensive midfielder. I’m also strong in 1 on 1 situations having to be the last man back on the ball and making the tackle, and am confident of my abilities in the air, whether it be to clear a ball with a header, or a header into the opponent’s net on a corner kick.

I am determined to continue with my love for soccer and wish to expand it into college. Not only do I play soccer but have involved in music at the highest level for 5 years straight. I also regularly volunteer for organizations such as Canopy by helping to plant trees and determine the health of young saplings. In the past, I’ve consistently volunteered for Youth Community Service, a local volunteer organization offering opportunities to volunteer all over the Bay Area doing service projects including serving food to the homeless, weeding out non-native plants in a local park, or helping to organize recyclables. I want to continue to play soccer in college and have an excellent education too.