By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Jackie Gilroy (So., F/M, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) made a key impact for the Willamette University women's soccer team as a first-year player last season. She played in all 20 games and entered the game from the bench in 19 of those performances.
It didn't matter that she played fewer minutes than the starters. She still provided the Bearcats with six goals, trailing only Shanna Keil ('20) who scored seven. Gilroy added an assist, giving her 13 total points.
In addition to being a consistent threat on the field, Gilroy stays active off the field as well. She is very committed academically as a Pre-Medicine student and also keeps busy within her sorority and through student employment. She hopes to "shadow" (follow at work) a couple of physicians when she returns home to gain experience in a health care setting.
"When I am not playing soccer, I am very involved," Gilroy said. "I am currently taking courses that fulfill the Public Health major and the Pre-Med requirements, as I want to become a doctor. I am on the Honor Roll at Willamette, and I also work and participate in Greek life. I work as a supervisor for the intramural program, and I am in the Pi Beta Phi sorority looking to take on a couple of leadership positions. Those positions are the Vice President of Finance Housing and Panhellenic Delegate. In my free time, I love to spend time with my friends!"
Gilroy scored her six goals on just 19 shots for a .319 shooting percentage. She placed 10 of her shots on goal for a .526 shot on goal percentage. She contributed two game-winning goals.
Against Pacific University on Oct. 26 in Forest Grove, Oregon, Gilroy scored the only goal late in the first half in a 1-0 win. Against Whitworth University on Nov. 9, she broke a 1-1 tie with a goal in the 76th minute to send the Bearcats to a 2-1 victory at Sparks Field.
"In our 2019 season, Jackie was able to come into the games and give us the spark we needed," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "whether it was her tireless work ethic, blazing speed, or the goals she put in the back of the net, she always made an impact on the game. Not only is Jackie a brilliant soccer player, but she is also very involved on campus and we love that. We want our student-athletes involved, pursuing leadership roles and activities that will enrich their college experiences. It's great to see that Jackie is already off to a running start and is positively contributing to campus life and leadership."
