Olofson keeps Westwood focused after loss to Marcus in state semifinal

Photo by Scott W. Coleman

GEORGETOWN — Atlee Olofson wasn’t going to let any of her Westwood teammates be overwhelmed by the sadness of a season coming to an end.

As soon as the final whistle sounded after a 4-0 loss to Lewisville Marcus in the Class 6A girls’ semifinal Friday at Birkelbach Field, she immediately encouraged her teammates to pick their heads up.

She encouraged them to smile while posing with their fourth-place trophy, led a pep talk in the postgame team meeting and proudly walked off the field with a medal around her neck and the trophy in her arms.

For a player that has put so much effort into her four years on the Warriors’ varsity squad, she wouldn’t have it end any other way.

“We’ve had some really good leaders over the last four years, so watching them and looking up to them, it was really easy to lead in my mind,” Olofson said. “I don’t care if I was wearing the armband, I was going to say the same things regardless.

“I just care about the team, and we wouldn’t be here without them.”

Olofson is an ECNL All-American and U-17 U.S. Women’s National Team member committed to play at Notre Dame next season.

But even with all the plaudits coming her way and a bright future ahead of her, she’s just as committed to the Warriors.

“She’s the definition of a captain and an amazing young woman,” Westwood head coach Malcolm Framjee said.

This year was the eighth appearance for Westwood at the state tournament and the first since 1999.

Framjee has been at Westwood for 12 years, and the Warriors have made the playoffs in all but one season. They’ve advanced to at least the third round six times since he’s been in charge.

“To finally get over that hump and to have the middle schools come see this, that’s so special for the community, and it becomes contagious for everyone,” Framjee said. “This was a seed planted that these younger kids have to live up to.”

When the Warriors got healthy midway through the season, they were unstoppable.

They finished the regular season on a six-match unbeaten streak — allowing one goal in that span — and finished in third place in the district. They beat district rivals Vandegrfit and Round Rock during their five-game playoff run.

“I’ll remember the fight we put into it and how much it took to get here,” Olofson said. “We earned this place on the field today."

Marcus opened the scoring with a header by Bella Campos in the 19th minute.

Westwood struggled to get anything going in the final third in the first half, managing just one shot that was not on goal and a corner. Marcus, meanwhile, had three shots, two on goal, and three corners.

Campos added to the lead with a penalty kick early in the second half.

Madi Patterson scored two second-half goals for the Marauders, tapping in a close-range effort after a dangerous free kick from outside the box and heading home a corner kick in the 71st minute.

“You want a team that’s going to battle no matter what,” Framjee said. “To have so many younger kids step up and follow the leadership of the older kids gives me goosebumps.”

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Originally published April 14, 2023, in the Hill Country News