Speed, as the saying goes, kills.

That makes Indianapolis-area forward Andrew Oliver a likely suspect for soccer’s version of homicide.

Oliver, a forward for the U15 Boys Westside United team coached by Gary Yohe, has turned enough heads with his play up front to get noticed both by U.S. Youth Soccer’s Region II ODP ’94 team and the U15 Boys National Team, having just completed his first camp with the latter in February. The fleet-footed forward said using his pace is the most important part of his game, most of the time.

“It’s probably the main point of my game when I’m playing by myself up top, which is  usually the case in club games,” Oliver said. “I work to use it the right way, to find the right runs, to use my space… When I’m playing with another forward up top the I can work with him and check to the ball.”

Club coach Gary Yohe concurred.

“He is a man amongst boys out there right now,” he said. “His speed is just lightning, but what impresses me is that he can go the same speed with the ball as he can without the ball. He’s good at bringing the ball out of the air and knowing exactly where he is around the goal. Even with his back to goal, knows exactly where to put the ball so he can strike it.”

Oliver is a latecomer to the regional squad, having made a good impression at the ODP Interregional last Thanksgiving at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. From that event he was chosen for the inaugural U15 BNT camp of the year at IMG Academy in Bradenton.

U15 BNT assistant coach Tony Lepore said Oliver did well for himself at the camp.

“He was new to the scene and you could tell he was learning from the faster pace of the game, but he got better as the week went on,” Lepore said. “He’s got a lot of good athletic qualities and he created a lot of chances for himself. He needs to be sharper around the goal but he made a good impression.”

Oliver played at the camp alongside other attacking players such as Devin Devoy, Daniel Bedoya, Kellen Gulley, Erick Sanchez and Melvin Snoh.

Oliver, who had his work rate lauded as well by Yohe, said he is trying to become a more complete player.

“Over the last year I’ve been trying to make both my feet as strong as they can be,” he said. “Heading is one of the better parts of my game and finishing-wise I have on and off days. It seems like every day is different so I just need to work on composing myself in front of goal and being more consistent.”