Olivia Wingate Bio
Olivia Ann Wingate (born January 20, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning third-team All-American honors, and was selected sixth overall by the Courage in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Wingate is recognized for her speed on the field and has cited soccer legends Mia Hamm and Christen Press as inspirations for her career.
Early Life and Background
Olivia Wingate was born in Medford, Massachusetts, as the second of four children to parents Carol and Steven Wingate. She grew up in Wilmington, Massachusetts, where she began playing soccer at the age of four. Wingate was also involved in other sports during her childhood, including softball, basketball, and ice hockey. She played club soccer for FC Stars in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). In high school, she played one season of ice hockey, leading her team with approximately 20 goals as a forward. Wingate played two seasons of high school soccer, achieving notable success by scoring 12 goals in about 10 games as a sophomore and 17 goals with 5 assists in 13 games as a junior. She was named the Middlesex League Player of the Year twice and committed to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during her sophomore year. In 2017, she suffered a knee injury that sidelined her for over a year, returning just two weeks before her first college game.
Path to Soccer
Olivia Wingate’s college career at the University of Notre Dame spanned from 2018 to 2022, during which she became a consistent starter by her sophomore year. Over her first three seasons, she scored five goals, but her senior year saw a significant increase in her performance, tallying 14 goals and 5 assists. Wingate’s contributions in the NCAA tournament included scoring crucial goals that helped her team advance to the quarterfinals. Her impressive performance earned her first-team All-ACC honors and third-team All-American recognition. In 2023, Wingate was drafted sixth overall by the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL Draft, marking the beginning of her professional career. She signed a three-year contract with the team, which runs through 2026.
Olivia Wingate Career
Early Career (2023)
Olivia Wingate made her professional debut for the North Carolina Courage on March 25, 2023, in the opening match against the Kansas City Current. She scored her first professional goal on June 14, 2023, during the NWSL Challenge Cup, contributing to a 2–1 victory over the Washington Spirit. In her rookie season, Wingate played 23 matches, starting in three, and finished with a total of 2 goals and 4 assists across all competitions. Her performance demonstrated her potential as a key player for the Courage.
Breakthrough (2024)
In 2024, Wingate continued to develop her skills and impact on the field. She scored her first NWSL regular-season goal on July 7, 2024, in a match against Racing Louisville, contributing to a 3–1 win. On October 12, she scored a crucial stoppage-time goal against Angel City, helping preserve the Courage’s unbeaten home streak. Despite facing injuries early in the season, Wingate managed to contribute with 2 goals and 2 assists in 13 games.
Notable Works and Milestones
Olivia Wingate’s signature achievements include her selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and her recognition as a first-team All-ACC player during her senior year at Notre Dame. Her ability to score in critical moments has established her as a promising talent in professional soccer.
Olivia Wingate Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Olivia Wingate has received recognition for her performances, including being named to the All-ACC third team and earning accolades for her contributions during her college career.
Olivia Wingate Awards Won
Olivia Wingate has achieved notable awards during her time at Notre Dame, including first-team All-ACC honors and third-team All-American recognition for her outstanding performance in college soccer.
Olivia Wingate Family
Olivia Wingate is the daughter of Steven and Carol Wingate. She is one of four siblings, though specific details about her siblings are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Information regarding Olivia Wingate’s personal life, including her marital status or relationships, is not publicly disclosed. She remains focused on her soccer career and continues to develop as a player with the North Carolina Courage.