Olivia Thomas

Olivia Hylton Thomas (born April 16, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Denver Summit FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, leading the team to the 2024 national championship and earning third-team All-American honors in 2025.

Early life

Thomas was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the fourth of five children born to LaShanda and Terence Thomas. Her father played college football at Albion College. She attended University Liggett School, where she played two all-state seasons of field hockey and track and one season of soccer in her senior year. She committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels as a junior.

College career

Thomas played in 10 games and scored 1 goal for the North Carolina Tar Heels as a freshman in 2023, but missed much of the later part of the season due to a hamstring tear. In her sophomore season in 2024, she scored her first brace in a 4–3 win against Georgia. She missed eight games that year due to a different hamstring strain, but recovered to finish the season ranking second on the team with 9 goals in 19 games.

Thomas led the Tar Heels with 13 goals in 20 games in her junior year in 2025. She was named first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American the end of her first injury-free season.

Club career

NWSL expansion team Denver Summit FC announced on January 20, 2026, that they had signed Thomas to her first professional contract on a three-year deal with the mutual option for another year. She made her professional debut as a halftime substitute for Emma Regan in the Summit's inaugural game, a 2–1 loss to Bay FC on March 14.

International career

Thomas was called into virtual training with the United States under-17 team in February 2021. She was called into camp with the under-20 team in March 2025.

Honors and awards

North Carolina Courage U23 USL W League: 2024

North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament: 2024

Individual Third-team All-American: 2025 First-team All-ACC: 2025 NCAA Division I Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player: 2024