With the addition of Sacramento’s new soccer team in, Republic FC, former Sacramento State goalkeeper Bryan Oliver will not let hard work hold him back from signing his first professional contract.

After starting the season training with Sac Republic, Oliver has gone train with the Las Vegas Mobsters, a team in the Premier Development League. Although Oliver is new to the program, the Mobsters are too, having just been established in the 2013 season.

“This is their first year, so there are a lot of new things for them, as well as a lot of obstacles,” Oliver said. “It’s a learning experience for everyone.”

Oliver is looking to get some starting experience and sign a contract with the Republic. He noted that it has been a tough transition being away from his family and friends in a new environment. Although it has been hard to adjust to all the changes, Oliver said he is fortunate to have a chance at playing professional soccer.

“Even though I haven’t gotten a contract with [Sac Republic], it has made me even hungrier to get that contract and work harder,” Oliver said. “I am in Vegas working as hard as I can so I can hopefully sign next year.”

By soccer standards, Oliver got a late start in playing goalkeeper. Growing up playing in Rocklin., a teammate’s father took an interest in Oliver and called up Simon Sheppard, a former professional goalie in England, to train him.

“He told me he was phenomenal, he is just raw,” Sheppard said. “He is athletic, but he hasn’t had any training whatsoever. He said he was going to pay for his first month of training, and we have become best friends ever since.”

Sheppard, who is now a goalkeeping trainer for Sac Republic, had the chance to work with Oliver more than just individual training sessions.

“It has been a blast to be able to work with him not just once a week individually, but also every single day, which has been a lot of fun,” Oliver said.

Over his four year span of playing goalie for the Hornets, Oliver had 16 shutout games, more than any other keeper. In fact, Oliver is in the record book for other statistical categories, in which he is either first or second, behind current Sac State men’s soccer assistant coach Matt McDougall, including saves and goals against average.

Hornets’ head coach Michael Linenberger said he knew Oliver could make it, as long as a team gave him an opportunity.

“I always thought if [Bryan] could get his foot in the door and get an opportunity, that coaches will start to appreciate what he brings to the table every single day, because he is so consistent,” Linenberger said.

Oliver was on the verge of ending his soccer career after numerous combines did not pan out. When the Republic was formed in Sacramento, he was invited to tryout and his hopes were still alive.

“I went to a few combines and nothing happened, so I took time off,” Oliver said. “I thought I was hanging my boots up, but I got invited to tryout for the Republic and I was able to train with them.”

Playing locally for many years, Oliver has seen the Sacramento fan base and said playing for the Republic would make all the hard work pay off.

“Growing up around here and playing college here, seeing the big fan base, seeing 20,000 people at the opening game and 17,000 at the next, is just fueling the fire to work hard and get that contract signed,” Oliver said.