SJ Sports: Defender of the Year

It appears as if a pipeline has been established from Washington Township to High Point, North Carolina. For the second year in a row, the women’s soccer team at Division I High Point has recruited a high profile player from Washington Township.

Jill McKeever, who was named the Defender of the Year by the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association, accepted a full scholarship to High Point in mid-January. McKeever joins 2002 Washington Township graduate Jen Evans on the High Point team.

“I just liked everything about High Point,” McKeever said. “Plus Jen Evans had so many good things to say about the school and the soccer team.”

Evans certainly had success in her first year at High Point. She was the Panthers leading scorer with six goals and six assists for 18 points. High Point finished the season 4-10-4 and Evans had one game-winning goal.

McKeever was a three-year starter at Washington Township after transferring from Paul VI her freshman year. Ironically, she played offense for the Paul VI varsity as a freshman, but switched to defense when she got to Township.

The one year she played for Paul VI, the Eagles finished as the South Jersey Parochial A champions and the No. 1 team in South Jersey. McKeever was a key contributor.

“I didn’t know much about her when she got here, but you could see right away what a talented player Jill was,” Township coach Tony Procopio said. “I thought she would be a good defensive player, so I tried her there.”

In a way, he wasn’t 100 percent right in his initial assessment. Instead of being a good defender, McKeever turned out to be simply great. She played sweeper and her speed and anticipation helped McKeever run down balls that few other defenders would get to. She also displayed outstanding anticipation, which made her such a successful sweeper, a true quarterback of the defense. During her three years, Township was a consensus Top 10 team in South Jersey. As a junior, the Minutemaids went 12-3-5 and tied Shawnee for the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association title. Township finished as the No. 3 team in South Jersey.

The Minutemaids were even better during McKeever’s senior season, going 18-4 and finishing No. 2 in South Jersey, behind No. 1 Lenape. Township advanced to the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals before losing a penalty kick shootout to Lenape, 4-2, after the teams played to a 1-1 game through regulation and two overtimes. Township also tied Lenape for the Olympic Conference American Division crown.

McKeever said that it’s possible that she could be switching positions again in college. She said it’s still possible that she could be a defender. However, the coaching staff at High Point has talked to her about the possibility of moving up in the midfield, or even the forward line in order to take advantage of her speed.

She wasn’t guaranteed any immediate playing time at High Point, but the coaching staff made it known that with hard work, the opportunity for playing as a freshman would be there.

McKeever didn’t make any other official college visits. The NCAA allows a girls’ soccer player to take up to five paid visits. She said the other school she was considering was Monmouth. A number of other Division I schools showed serious interest in McKeever and frequently stayed in touch with her.

McKeever saw how much Evans is enjoying High Point and that made an impression. “It will be nice to have somebody down there I know,” said McKeever. “That will make the adjustment easier.”

After seeing McKeever play sweeper the past three years, it’s hard to believe that she hadn’t played the position that much in youth soccer.

“At first, when I was moved to defense as a sophomore, I questioned whether I’d be able to make the adjustment,” she said. “But it didn’t take too long to become comfortable because I realized that I liked having the play in front of me.”

Because of her speed and her ball skills, forwards rarely got behind McKeever. She played the game with a certain self-assuredness that provided confidence to her teammates.

Even though McKeever felt that High Point would be the place for her, she still took her time in making her decision. Choosing a college is among the most stressful decisions that a high school student will make.

“I am so relieved that it is over,” she said. “It is a big weight off my mind.”

One reason the decision is so difficult is that the coaches are almost like professional salespersons. They know how to sell their school and make his or her college appear highly attractive.

“There is a lot of time that you spend with recruiting,” McKeever said. “Until you make the decision, it is always on your mind.”

Now McKeever can relax and enjoy the rest of her senior year. She has already begun getting ready for playing soccer at the next level and hopes to keep improving her skill.

Whether next year she is stopping goals, scoring them or doing a little of both, McKeever should be a strong addition to the High Point program.

After Evans’ break-out freshman season, much will be expected of McKeever. And if she fares well as expected, don’t be surprised if the High Point coaching staff continues to come by Washington Township to look at all the available talent.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Marc Narducci