Helene Elliott - USC's Olsen is stopper in NCAA show

So it was natural that she would follow her dream of goal-scoring glory throughout her youth soccer days in Lake Forest and San Juan Capistrano, as well as much of her career at Villa Park High.

But when she was 14 or 15, her club coach with the Southern California Blues stunned her by saying that her soccer prospects would be enhanced if she played goal.

Or, as she remembered it, "He decided to stick me in goal."

Why?

"He thought I had potential," Olsen said, "and I was enormous."

She cried.

"I hated it," she said. "But I got better at it. I got training, and it just slowly evolved into something bigger than I expected."

Big enough for her to help USC write a new chapter in the school's athletic history Sunday afternoon.

Olsen, a 6-foot sophomore, finished the Trojans' first NCAA soccer title run with a shutout of Florida State and all-tournament defensive player honors.

She wasn't tested very often Sunday in USC's 2-0 victory, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 8,255 at a stuffed-to-the-gills Aggie Soccer Stadium, but when she was challenged she provided the calm demeanor and timely saves that have become her hallmark.

"The first time I saw her play, we were like, 'Oh my God, that kid can fly,'" first-year Coach Ali Khosroshahin said.

Yet, it took her a lot of work with assistant coach Laura Janke and most of the season before she truly soared.

"She's a very good goalkeeper. She's grown tremendously," Khosroshahin said.

"I think before, she just depended on her athleticism and was a shot-stopper. I think now she's developing into a complete goalkeeper."

She was completely intimidating to the Seminoles -- and to most of the opponents who preceded them.

Olsen gave up one goal in the tournament, to UCLA in the Trojans' 2-1 semifinal upset of the Bruins on Friday.

She was credited with only two saves Sunday, but her looming presence and clear, constant communication with her back line -- a distinct contrast to the confusion that reigned among the Seminoles' defenders and led to both USC goals -- made her a vital force for 90 minutes.

"They have good athletes," Seminoles Coach Mark Krikorian said, "and behind the back line is a goalkeeper who is quite good."

Olsen wasn't sure that the Trojans would be this good this season.