Olivia Thompson - Women's Soccer Coach - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Olivia Liv Thompson Named to Women's Soccer Staff

Olivia Thompson

Title:
Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
Email:
othomp@bgsu.edu
Phone:
419-372-9602

Olivia Thompson joined the Bowling Green State University women's soccer staff in April of 2023. Thompson, a standout player at both the collegiate and professional levels, came to BG from Florida Institute of Technology.

"We are really pleased to have Liv on board at BGSU," said head coach Jimmy Walker at the time of Thompson's hiring. "Liv has an extensive playing background in Europe playing in the Champions League. Those experiences will help provide our players with additional knowledge and coaching to help move them forward in their development.

"Liv also has one of the top coaching qualifications having taken and passed her UEFA B license which is one of the most challenging courses for coaches globally.

"On top of this, her club coaching background and connections will be really valuable in the recruitment of student athletes at BGSU. We are really looking forward to Liv joining us as we prepare for the fall."

Thompson spent the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant coach and player performance coach at Florida Tech. The Panthers finished with records of 8-6-3 overall and 5-4-1 in Sunshine State Conference play, advancing to the championship match of the SSC Tournament.

Prior to Florida Tech, Thompson spent one year coaching at the Cardiff City LFC Academy. She has also served as program director and coach of multiple teams at Space Coast United Soccer Club in her hometown of Melbourne, Fla.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity Jimmy and BGSU have given me," said Thompson. "Jimmy has put together a very successful program which I'm excited to be a part of. It's a really solid group from the coaches office to the locker room.

"I'm looking forward to getting started and bringing my experience from on and off the field to help the team. We have big ambitions for the coming seasons as a staff. I know the players are just as hungry as we are for championships. They are a great group of women with a lot of talent. Hoping to help build something special here at Bowling Green!"

Thompson had a six-year career professional career which included stints with FC Lugano in the Swiss National League (2016-17), Cardiff Met WFC in the UEFA Women's Championship League (2018-21) and Cardiff City (2021). She also was on the practice squad with the NWSL's Orlando Pride in 2021-22.

While at Cardiff Met, Thompson helped the team to a league title, a pair of FA Cups and a League Cup.

During her professional playing career, Thompson also furthered her coaching career, serving as an academy coach with both the FC Lugano Girls Academy and Performance Center Wales.

Thompson was a four-year standout at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., scoring 14 goals and 34 points during her career. She had five goals and 12 points as both a sophomore in 2013 and a senior in the 2015 campaign, and was an All-South Atlantic Conference Team honorable-mention selection in each of her final three seasons with the Lady Railsplitters.

Thompson earned her bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Cardiff Met University in 2020, and is working toward a master's degree in Sport Coaching and Pedagogy from Cardiff Met. She has a UEFA B coaching license.