Emily Wilkinson follows familial footsteps to LaSalle University
NORTHAMPTON – While she also considered playing for Big Five rivals Temple and Villanova, could Council Rock South soccer midfielder Emily Wilkinson, of Churchville, play her college ball anywhere else but LaSalle University?
After all her dad, Bob Wilkinson, is a long-time men’s assistant soccer coach for the Explorers.
“I pretty much grew up there,” said Emily, of the North Philadelphia campus. “When I was little, I would go down and play on the fields and play on the basketball court.”
It should be a family reunion of sorts for Emily Wilkinson, whose dad played for former longtime head coach Bill Wilkinson from 1984 to 1986 before finishing up his career under current men’s coach Pat Farrell. Indeed, Bob Wilkinson was the Explorers’ first captain during the Farrell era. Emily’s Uncle Bill (Class of 1982) also played his college soccer at LaSalle.
In addition to the familial connection, Wilkinson should recognize defender Paige McDowell, a redshirt junior who scored 55 goals and 28 assists during her time with the Golden Hawks. McDowell is also from Churchville.
At LaSalle, McDowell’s Explorers (9-9-3, A-10: 6-5-1) wrapped up a 2015 campaign that saw the team reach the Atlantic 10 semifinals for a sixth consecutive season.
“Their program is just different there,” Emily said. “They’re a really hard-working team and they really take pride in their technical ability.
“They’re really built the program into something huge over the last few years.”
“It was something I really wanted to be a part of.”
According to Emily, she has the CR South coaching staff to thank for helping her make it to the next level.
“This has been the best four years I could have imagined,” she said. “The fitness and the preseason (program) really helped me a lot.
“Going to practices here every day really made me love it and I just wanted to keep working at it every day.”
Emily Wilkinson was a Second Team All-Suburban One National League selection as a senior.
Contact the author at ssherman@21st-Centurymedia.com or @BucksLocalSport on Twitter
