2023:
- Appeared in six games before sustaining a season-ending injury.
- Scored one goal against St. Joseph's (Sept. 25).
2022:
- Appeared in seven games.
- Made his first career start in the game at New Hampshire.
- Scored his first career goal in the win at UMass Lowell.
- Recipient of the team's Frank Dunne Award, presented annually to the member of the men's varsity soccer team who, in the judgment of the coaches, has exhibited the greatest improvement throughout the course of the season.
Academy: Scored 13 goals in 14 games for Beachside SC… Top goal scorer in East Region and No. 3 in the nation in 2018-19… Helped Beachside be one of 32 clubs in the nation to qualify for the playoffs in San Diego… Scored once or twice in each of the four games against the four MLS clubs in the Northeast… Played a year up on club’s U16/17 academy team… Two-time MVP at UConn’s Soccer Camp… Scored nine goals during the 2016-17 season.
Personal: Son of Gerard and Marina Van Spaendonck… Born in Singapore and lived in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
3 QUESTIONS FOR VAN SPAENDONCK
Biggest soccer influence? “Erik Tammer. He’s my cousin and played as a professional striker in the Dutch Eredivisie at FC Twente. He’s currently an international scout for Ajax and has given me lots of insight and tips regarding the sport.”
Do you have an idol or hero? “An idol of mine in the soccer world is Marcus Rashford. At such a young age he was able to seize his opportunity for one of the most prestigious clubs (Manchester United) in the world. I’ve seen many parallels between my game and his; he is definitely a player I try to emulate. He always has his mind made up, likes to go with speed and has a good eye for goal.”
Why Yale? “For me, Yale gives me the best of both worlds regarding academics and athletics. As both a student and competitor, I want to take advantage of its elite academic resources and special community while still following my passion for soccer.”
Stannard on Van Spaendonck: “Ollie was our first recruit in this large class and we couldn’t have been more excited. He came to a couple of ID camps at a young age and we had the benefit of seeing him regularly with Beachside since they are a local Connecticut team. Ollie is not someone that initially stands out as a great athlete or soccer player, but make no mistake, he has many special qualities and has the potential to be a big-time player in the Ivy League and in the nation. He will be one of the fastest players on the team immediately and his movement off the ball is smart and savvy beyond his years.
“He is coming off some recent injuries but has been progressing very well. Once he gets back to full health and fitness, Ollie will be competing for minutes up top or out wide. He has a rare combination of confidence when playing back to goal, running at players 1v1, and also making runs off the ball in behind the backline. He is clinical around goal and has great composure and technique. We are very excited about the attacking threat that Ollie can provide.”
