WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Sunday night pitted not only two of the top teams in the National Women's Soccer League and a number of U.S. National Team standouts, the encounter featured a pair of William & Mary women's soccer alumnae in leadership positions and highlighted the program's far-reaching influence on the professional and international stage.
 
With several Tribe alums among the record 15,058 fans at Red Bull Arena, San Diego Wave FC, led by team president and Tribe alum Jill Ellis '88, pick up a key 1-0 road win over Gotham FC, which has another Tribe alumna, Jennifer Tepper Mackesy '91, as an Operating Owner. The Tribe's current coach staff - head coach Julie Shackford '88, associate head coach Marsha Lycan '87 and assistant coach Gabby Isola - was on hand along with recent Tribe graduate Jillian O'Toole '23, Athletics Director Brian Mann and Senior Associate Athletics Director for Advancement Jarrad Turner. Among the Tribe alumnae also on hand were Kris Fisher Keegan '93, Nancy O'Toole '88 and Holly Barrett Simeon '88.
 
"It was a tremendous night for women's soccer," Shackford said. "To have two Tribe alums involved in the NWSL in leadership positions is an incredible reflection of Tribe Women's Soccer and William & Mary."

 

San Diego Wave FC extended its unbeaten run to four matches and pushed them into a share of first place in the league standings. San Diego is level on points with leaders Portland but behind on goal differential. Meanwhile, Gotham FC is level with third-place Washington on points but also behind on goal differential.