Lobo Heroes: Olivia Ferrier
The University of New Mexico Athletic Department is proud of all of our student-athletes that have worn the Cherry & Silver, but in this time of global crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are especially proud of our Lobos For Life that are on the front lines of this crisis.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The current COVID-19 crisis that has enveloped the world has pushed the word adversity into the forefront. For former University of New Mexico soccer player Olivia Ferrier, her time with UNM certainly helped prepare her for dealing with adversity.
Ferrier has gone from being a Lobo defender to helping defend COVID-19, as the UNM nursing graduate is currently working as an ICU nurse at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque.
“I think playing collegiate soccer at UNM has helped shape my life in almost every way,” said Ferrier. “I learned how to continue performing at my highest level despite adversity, I learned how to ask for help when I need it, and I learned that being a good follower is equally as important as being a good leader.”
Coming off a breakthrough junior season in which she started 17 games and logged 1,475 minutes, adversity hit when an injury knocked her out for the 2015 season. A long road of rehab was on track in order to return and properly leave UNM soccer on her own terms.
That’s just what she did.
Ferrier battled all the way back to play in 18 games and start 16 as a senior, even scoring her first career goal that season.
None of what Ferrier did in her career, or what she is doing now fazes head coach Heather Dyche, who has known Ferrier since the beginnings of her select career in Albuquerque.
“When players leave our program we hope that they are empowered brave women who know how to have a voice and find success, Olivia is the epitome,” said Dyche. “I’m proud to say that our staff and our program at UNM are a small part of who Olivia is. She represents so much of what we believe in, accountability, team first mentality, courage, and compassion in everything she did here, and now for UNM Hospitals MICU.”
Working at UNMH in the intensive care unit is a task that is completely team oriented, and Olivia has gone from teammates wearing cleats to teammates wearing personal protective equipment and working in a hospital in her hometown has allowed her to serve her hometown community with pride. “Just like I had amazing teammates to get me through difficult times, I now have equally as amazing co-workers. We will continue to fight for the safety and well-being of the people in our state.”
For a career that saw her play just 63 minutes and three games as a freshman to serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, Ferrier’s time at UNM has her ready for the tough times in front of here.
Said Dyche, “Olivia and her team are bravely fighting for the people of our state and we are so incredibly grateful and proud.”
Previous Lobo Heroes:
Jadon Phillips, Men’s Tennis