Former SSU player, current SSU MSOC assistant coach Olivera drafted by Tacoma Stars of Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)

When one stays persistent with his or her goals in life, it's amazing what can be accomplished.

Former Shawnee State soccer letterwinner Jonathan Olivera came to Shawnee State from Spain to further his opportunity in the sport of soccer and further his education in the process.

He'll leave SSU with a status that many dream of, but never achieve:

Professional soccer player.

After going to try out for the Major Arena Soccer League on a mere whim, Olivera's impressive tryout resulted in the former Shawnee State soccer player now-turned Shawnee State assistant coach obtaining an opportunity to play for the Tacoma Stars of the MASL -- as Olivera was drafted with the ninth pick in the second round of the MASL Draft Tuesday evening.

Olivera, who played in 16 contests with 12 starts during the 2023 season for Shawnee State, has been a passionate leader that has always stood tall for his fellow teammates.

He'll now look to translate those same leadership qualities to the Major Arena Soccer League.

Founded on May 18, 2006, the MASL is a North American professional indoor soccer league with 13 teams that play coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The league is the highest level of arena soccer in North America -- and has featured, among others, Landon Donovan, who starred in Major League Soccer (MLS) as well as on the United States Men's National Team.

Olivera will join a franchise in Tacoma that will be in its 11th season in the MASL in 2024-25. In the previous 10 seasons, Tacoma has finished .500 or better in six of them -- including the 2023-24 campaign, which was Tacoma's best-ever in the MASL in terms of overall record at 16-6.

The Stars ultimately lost a competitive three-game playoff series in the Western Conference Semifinals to the eventual 2024 MASL Champion Chihuahua Savage, with Tacoma winning the first game of the three-game series, 6-5, before dropping the final two affairs 7-4 and 5-0.

Olivera will debut as a member of the Tacoma Stars' roster at the 7,141-seat accesso ShoWare Center, the official home of the Stars, on Dec. 7 when Tacoma stars its MASL campaign against the San Diego Sockers.