The Simsbury Soccer Club is extremely proud to continue to feature the outstanding accomplishments of its athletes who graduate from SSC programs to high levels of success in high school and beyond.  SSC prides itself on being a program that not only provides a successful pathway for soccer players to succeed at high levels, but that does so while fostering sports in a community environment that promotes a love of the game and lifelong friendships.

Today, SSC is pleased to feature Max Berger and Olivia Jarvis.

MAX BERGER & OLIVIA (“OJ”) JARVIS

Max started his SSC career in the kindergarten program, wearing Tie-Dye on the field with Coach Ken.  He continued in the SSC Rec programs through the World Cup in third grade before moving to travel as a U10.  He played as a member of Dynamo Simsbury from 4^th-8^th grade and was part of the Dynamo team that won a state championship and made another CT Cup Final.

Max made the Simsbury High School varsity team as a freshman and was named team captain both his junior and senior years.  As a senior, he became the first SHS Boys’ soccer player to be named All-State since 2014.  He was 2x All-Conference selection and was named to the CT Senior Bowl.   A midfielder, Max led SHS to a conference championship his senior year.

 OJ started Simsbury Soccer in the rec program and played in the SSC World Cup during her 3^rd grade season.  In 4^th grade she joined the travel program, where she ultimately played through 8^th grade.  She was a proud member of the Simsbury Sensation team that won 3 state championships and made another CT Cup Final.

OJ was a 4-year varsity letter winner in High School was named captain her senior year.  She was named All-Conference twice and was named to the CT Senior Bowl where she was awarded the MVP award for the game.  A goalie, OJ led SHS to a conference championship and a 2023 Class L title her senior year.

Max, who also plays for the Trojan hockey team, has committed to the Union College Men’s Soccer team as part of their class of 2028.

OJ, who also plays for the Trojan basketball team, is evaluating multiple college options for next year.

When asked about his time as part of the Simsbury Soccer Club, Max said, “Playing Simsbury soccer not only created a love for the game and a competitive soccer environment, but also created friendships and relationships that I will remember forever. Getting to learn and play with your friends is an unforgettable experience, and I am forever in debt to the SSC for those moments”

When asked about her time as part of the Simsbury Soccer Club, OJ said, “Playing travel through SSC was an experience I will cherish forever. Not only did I grow my passion for the sport I love, but I developed key friendships and relationships that will stick with me throughout my entire life. I was exposed to an environment I had never been in and grew because of it. I developed leadership skills, built my confidence and learned how to work as a team. Stepping on the field as a high schooler was amazing and I could not have done it without developing through SSC. Knowing that I am representing my community on a higher level is awesome; not only that but being a potential role model to other kids looking to play soccer through SSC is even cooler.”

KEENAN & REECE WILLISON

Keenan started his SSC career in our Rec program, finishing it out in our much-anticipated World Cup event. He then continued on to play SSC Travel, where his team made it to the CT Cup final in his 7th grade year. Keenan later made SHS’ Varsity team as a sophomore and started every game for the next three years, never missing a game. He earned All-Conference recognition his junior & senior year in the most competitive conference in Connecticut, & was Captain his senior year. His senior year he helped his team win their first state playoff game in over 5 years in the largest class size. His additional high school soccer accolades include the Simsbury Scholar-Athlete Award (given to one male who had the best athletic and academic achievements throughout high school), CIAC Sportsmanship Award, Team MVP (senior year), & Play Like a Trojan Award (junior year).

 Keenan’s reflection on SSC:  “Playing travel Simsbury soccer was an amazing experience for me, both developmentally and socially. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and meet people who I didn’t know while working on my basic fundamentals of the game. Simsbury travel soccer built my skills and confidence that allowed me to have a very successful high school career. It allowed me to represent my town, where every time I stepped onto the field I had to be a role model and a positive example to represent my family and my town. Most importantly, Simsbury Soccer Club allowed me to make special friendships and gave us something to bond over. Whether it was at practice talking about school, or at school talking about practices and games, Simsbury Soccer was the center of making memories and friendships.”

Keenan is now a freshman at Boston University.  We at SSC wish him the best in what we know will be a very bright and successful future!

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Reece Willison, now a senior at SHS, started her soccer career playing in our Rec program, finishing it out in our World Cup event.  She then joined Simsbury travel soccer in 5th grade and continued playing for SSC’s travel program until reaching high school. During her journey through our Travel program, Reece’s team competed in two CT Cup finals.  She is now a senior at SHS, and has started on the varsity soccer team since her freshman year. She was named All-Conference for three years, and All-State her junior year. She was a team Captain this year, and will move on to play soccer at Williams College next year. 
Reece’s words about SSC’s impact: “I remember playing in those cups like it was yesterday; truly unforgettable, and amazing experiences. Simsbury soccer gave me the opportunity to make lifelong friends and connect with my community, something for which I will always be grateful!”
We wish Reece a fabulous finish to her final year at SHS, and look forward to watching her continue her soccer journey through college!