Women's Soccer Did You Know

William & Mary Athletics

Since its inception in 1981, the William & Mary women's soccer program has had a tradition of winning that is unparalleled in the NCAA. Since its very first match on September 19, 1981 against Richmond, a 5-1 victory, the Tribe has made a habit of winning. For 36 consecutive years, William & Mary had a winning season, an NCAA record. Along with all of its success in the regular season, the Tribe has also had its fair share of winning in the postseason, earning berths to the NCAA Tournament on 25 occasions, third all-time in the history of the NCAA. See below for some fun facts and bold history surrounding our program and W&M!

25 NCAA Tournament Appearances for Women's Soccer

Did you know that our program has played in 25 different NCAA Soccer Tournaments? The Tribe played in every NCAA Tournament from 1990-2004, and last appeared in 2015. In its most recent trip to the NCAA Tournament, W&M advanced to the second round with a PK win at UCF.

Did you know that the Tribe has won a league-best 10 CAA Championships? Will you be apart of our 11th?

2 National Players of the Year for Women's Soccer - Natalie Neaton in 1995 and Megan McCarthy in 1987.

Did you know that our program has produced a pair of National Player of the Year Winners? Megan McCarthy won the award in 1987, before Natalie Neaton earned the honor in 1995!

31 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans for Women's Soccer

Did you know that W&M has produced 31 United Soccer Coaches (NSCAA) All-Americans? Fifteen different women have accounted for our 31 USC All-American honors!

Jill Ellis '88 won back-to-back FIFA World Cups at the USWNT manager.

Did you know that one of two head coaches to win back-to-back World Cup Championships is a W&M graduate? That's right! Jill Ellis played forward for the Tribe from 1984-87. She finished her career with 32 goals, 19 assists, and ranks ninth in career points with 83, while earning Third Team All-America honors during her senior season. She helped the Tribe to the NCAA tournament all four seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 1987. Ellis earned her degree from William & Mary in English Literature and Composition. Furthermore, she tallied 106 wins as the manager of the US side, coached the most matches among US managers (132), and became the first women's manager and just second all-time to win consecutive FIFA World Cups. She was named the FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2015.

Women's Soccer's current staff and alums at the NWSL match between Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC.

Did you know Tribe women's soccer has a professional and global impact? Both Jill Ellis '88 and Jennifer Tepper Mackesy '91 hold leadership positions for NWSL organizations. Ellis is the team president for San Diego Wave FC, while Mackesy is an operating owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC. Those two organizations met in front of a record-setting crowd in June of 2023 with W&M alums and the Tribe staff in attendance (photo). Globally, Kathy Carter '91 is currently the Chief Revenue Officer of LA 2028 and the CEO of US Olympic and Paralympic Properties—the commercial joint venture between LA 2028 and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Did you know that our head coach is a W&M Hall of Famer that was a three-time All-American at the school? Julie Shackford is entering her sixth season as head coach. She is tied for 42nd among active Division I head coaches with 267 career wins! Furthermore, her assistant Marsha Lycan '87 also graduated W&M, making us one of two programs in the country led by former players.