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MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY’S COMPLETE SOCCER PLAYER, JILL CONKLIN
By Robert Solomon
WEST LONG BRANCH – There are many athletes that possess the ability but do not meet expectations. There are also many athletes who possess the desire and commitment but also do not meet expectations. Every so often an athlete comes along that is the complete package. This player possesses amazing ability, a burning desire to be the best and a work ethic to get there. Jill Conklin, a member of the Monmouth University women soccer team, is that player.
Conklin started playing soccer when she was four years old and immediately fell in love with the sport. “My parents threw me into different sports but I fell in love as soon as I started playing,” explained Conklin. While playing in recreation and travel leagues and on the Toms River Intermediate East school team, Conklin honed her skills for high school.
She realized there would be a big difference playing with 18-year olds in high school than there was playing with 14-year-old players in middle school. “I was nervous transitioning from middle school to high school,” Conklin said. “But I was excited to play on a bigger platform,” she continued.
“I prepared the summer before going to high school,” stated Conklin. “I feel I was prepared to play against players older than me.” As a result, she made the Toms River East varsity team as a freshman. “I wasn’t surprised. I always had it in me to strive to be the best,” she explained. “I felt I did the right steps to prepare myself.”
Conklin didn’t find it too difficult keeping up with her academics in high school, as she was an honor student. “I didn’t give myself the opportunity to be lax because I strive to be the best in everything I do,” she explained.
“I loved my experience playing soccer at Toms River East,” said Conklin. “It was fun and taught me that you are playing for something bigger than yourself. You want to set the best example for your program and school rather than yourself,” she explained. This helped prepare Conklin for her future collegiate career.
Monmouth University women’s soccer coach Krissy Turner saw Conklin for the first time when she attended a summer camp as a high school freshman. Turner was very impressed with the young player and felt she would be a successful collegiate player. “Jill has a desire to compete that is pretty close to the best I’ve ever seen,” said Turner. “Jill wants to be the best and had an indescribable work ethic to help her get there,” continued Turner.
Although Conklin was being recruited by numerous schools, she committed to Monmouth University in her sophomore year. “I’m a homebody,” she admitted. “I wanted to stay as close to home as possible and be as competitive as possible,” she continued. Monmouth University offered Conklin a great soccer program plus a quality nursing program. “My mom is a nurse and I was always interested in becoming a nurse,” she said. “You can’t play soccer forever. My degree is extremely important to me.”
To prepare for her freshman year, Conklin used her preparation for high school as a guide. The summer before her freshman year began, Conklin explained, “I thought about what struggles I would have to face and prepared to meet them.”
A major difference between her high school and college teams is where the emphasis is placed. “At Toms River East there was more of an emphasis on athleticism. We used our athletic players to the best of their abilities,” explained Conklin. “At Monmouth University the team is a lot more technical. We rely more on syncing and execution.”
In her freshman year, Conklin made a remarkable impression on the team. She explained that as a college freshman you earn your position and the upperclassmen respect you for it. In high school there can be some jealousy involved.
Conklin started every game for the Monmouth Hawks, won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Rookie of the Year and was selected first-team All-Conference in her freshman season. She never hesitated to take the lead as a younger member of the team, Turner said. “She adjusted very well.”
It is not easy to come in as a freshman and receive all the accolades she has, explained Turner, but she is humble and knows who she is as a person. “The upperclassmen were inspired to work harder by respecting her attitude and approach,” explained Turner. “She enjoys being pushed and challenged helping to take the program to the next level,” said Turner.
Conklin fit right into the team. “She is a good teammate,” said Turner. She is a supportive and very enthusiastic young lady, continued Turner. She can be lighthearted and enjoys making people laugh but she is also very competitive.
Conklin acknowledges her teammates as a major factor for her success in college. “I would not have been able to be so successful without my teammates who pushed me to be better. They are the ones who I practice with, travel with and spend my free time with,” she said. “My coaches are great, dedicated to the team and spend all their free time with us,” she added. With all this support, she was an All-MAAC first team selection again in her sophomore season.
“Her overall athletic ability and her drive to be the best are her strengths.” said Turner. She also has a work ethic that sets her apart. “Jill enjoys being the best and will do whatever is necessary.”
On the field, Conklin contributes strongly to the team. “She is tremendous at winning balls in the air (headers),” explained Turner. “She is a box to box midfielder involved in both the offense and defense. She is super fit and covers lots of ground,” continued Turner. During the Drexel game Turner remembers that Conklin ran 10 miles over the course of the game. “She is just non-stop,” exclaimed Turner. Conklin recalled that in high school she was called the Energizer Bunny.
Earlier in the season the Hawks went down to play the 25th-ranked Texas Longhorns. “Jill single-handedly did not allow their Canadian National player to have any impact on the game. She relishes stopping the opponent’s top player,” said Turner.
Every player has some aspect of her game that needs to improve. Turner explained that Conklin needed to work on using her left foot more. “She embraced it last year and improved,” said Turner. She takes constructive criticism well and doesn’t want any weaknesses in her game, continued Turner.
In her two years at Monmouth, Turner feels that Conklin has grown, is comfortable and feels at home. Conklin feels that she has absolutely grown as a player. “My game has completely changed,” she stated. “Coming in I was an attacking player. Coach Turner told me I needed to play defensive mid-field and become a more defensive player. I love it,” she explained. “Everything she (Coach Turner) has done has made me a better player.”
Turner explained that Conklin is a very confident, very determined young lady. She also is an outstanding student. “Academics in general are harder. It gets stressful when you have something due but you adjust to the schedule,” explained Conklin, who has continued to maintain good grades.
Conklin has an older sister and brother, as well as a younger brother. They are all involved in athletics. “We have always been a close-knit family. My parents have always been very supportive. They come to all my games,” she said. “I realize how lucky I am to have parents so involved. I am lucky to have such a great support system.”
She visits her high school as often as she can. Her last visit was to a recent state tournament game. “I like to go to show my support,” she said. She also keeps in touch with Coach Nichols, her soccer coach at Toms River East. “We call to wish each other good luck. You always want to remember the people that helped you. He had an impact on me.”
When asked what advice she would give to a high school player looking to play in college she said, “Find a place you could see yourself call home and be prepared to work hard and be dedicated.” She added, “If you love it, it won’t be hard to do.”
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