On The Plains with Olivia Candelino: 'I would not trade my experience for anything”

AUBURN, Ala. — “I want people to know that my journey was not easy. Everyone is the best when you are at the high school level, so coming into a college environment is tough. I have been through many ups and downs but at the end of the day, every moment has made me the soccer player and person I am today, and I would not trade my experience for anything.”

For senior Olivia Candelino, the college soccer experience has not been an easy one but rather a transformative one.

“My first visit to campus was with my mom and sister when I was fifteen years old,” she said. “I immediately fell in love and adored every detail about Auburn. The comforting family vibe is something you cannot find anywhere else.”

The 2019 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year opted to leave her beloved hometown of Jacksonville and pursue an education and playing career on The Plains, hoping to be challenged in ways that were yet unseen.

“I chose to play soccer at Auburn to push myself to the best of my abilities. Everyone is good in the SEC, so every week is a new challenge, and I love that,” Candelino said. “It just so happens that I get to be surrounded by amazing people while I play and live out my dreams.”

Not only was she challenged on the pitch, but the surprise of the COVID-19 pandemic was a massive hardship that struck the world as her Auburn journey was just beginning.

Candelino was forced to shift her perspective on what her college experience would be like. Meeting with teammates and coaches on Zoom and training in small groups “was difficult to navigate as an eighteen-year-old.”

Grasping what it meant to be adaptable and patient was a valuable lesson for the freshman as it would be something she’d carry with her from week-to-week, month-to-month and year-to-year.

Like any career, Candelino experienced exhilarating highs and demoralizing lows. Moments like being named to the 2021 SEC All-Tournament Team or helping to secure a massive win over No. 6 Arkansas just last season stand out as some of the most exciting points of her career.

Challenges also came like balancing school, soccer and a social life, late-match losses, learning new positions, fluctuating playing time, and even blood and bruises from the intensity of competing at a DI level.

“The day-to-day grind is tough, and staying true to yourself, remaining consistent and doing what your team needs is crucial for the team’s success.

“Because of my experiences, I believe I am a very different person and even player from my freshman season,” she said. “I feel that I am more well-rounded and in-touch with myself in all aspects of life.”

Looking ahead Candelino hopes to finish her final season in the Orange & Blue on a high. She and her fellow seniors are on a mission to leave it all on the field.

After her season is complete, Candelino will earn her second degree from Auburn this winter and hopes to continue playing soccer “until I physically cannot anymore.”

“I have my bachelor’s in public relations and am currently working toward a graduate degree in administration and supervision, so after my soccer career, I would love to be involved in communications for professional sports team or something along those lines,” she said.

No matter how long her playing career lasts or what organization she ends up working with one day, Candelino finds comfort in knowing that the best is yet to come. What once started as a little girl’s dream has now become a reality, and no matter what she faces, she’ll attack it with an eagerness.

“The next eight-year-old who dreams of playing soccer should keep their head high, be unapologetically themself and always play for something bigger than just them,” Candelino said. “Everything will work out, what is meant to be, will be.

“I hope my legacy is one where people can look back and say, ‘I loved playing with Cando, she was a great teammate and player, always put her best foot forward, and was there for me whenever I needed her most.’”