OLYMPIA, Wash. – JJ Olson has been named Western Indoor Soccer League Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his outstanding performance in the Oly Town Artesians’ 7-5 win over the second place Tacoma Stars Reserves on Saturday night. The Saint Martin’s alum and Lakeville, Minnesota native made 27 saves to lead the team to their first win of the 2017-2018 season.
In front of his parents, who traveled all the way from Minnesota, Olson made his second start of the season and his first at The Pavilion at The Evergreen State College, stopping 27 shots on the most difficult field in the WISL for a goalkeeper. His performance stopped a three-game losing streak in which the Artesians were outscored 39-18. The Artesians were missing multiple starters to vacation and were nursing numerous injuries but played an intense defensive game in front of Olson.
His family didn’t just travel to town to see JJ play, though they were justly rewarded. They were also meeting their new grandchild for the first time. Olson’s wife Kenzie gave birth to the couple’s first child three weeks ago and Olson understandably missed the team’s game in Snohomish on December 2nd.
In his third season with the Oly Town Artesians, this is Olson’s first league award. He is the club’s leader in games started at goalkeeper and he has the most wins of any Artesians keeper. While at Saint Martin’s, Olson earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week twice – once during his junior season after a shutout of University of Mary, and again during his senior season after holding 5th ranked Seattle Pacific scoreless.
This is the third time an Artesians has been named Defensive Player-of-the-Week by the WISL. Goalkeeper Evan Munn won the award twice during the 2015-2016 season. Nate Boatright and Kyle Wiese each earned the award during the 2017 Evergreen Premier League outdoor season.
Olson and the Oly Town Artesians (1-3-0, 3 points) now take a break for the holidays and will return to action on Saturday, January 6th at The Pavilion against first place and high-powered Bellingham United. First kick is set for 6:30 and tickets are available now by visiting www.olytownfc.com/tickets.