Jillian Wilson, Once a Hidden Gem, Motors into Final NCAA Games

Jillian Wilson’s first love was basketball — a surprise to no one who has seen the 5-8 midfielder in person, including Loyola head coach Jen Adams.

“When you come out to watch Jillian play, the first thing you’ll notice is that she is a specimen athlete,” Adams said. “We like to play a dynamic, athlete-style of play. Off the bat, that jumped out at us as a player that would be enticing to us.”

Wilson wasn’t drawing many eyes for lacrosse. Her hometown of Hampstead, Md., is Skywalkers territory (as in the lauded club program). Wilson was playing for Diamond Lacrosse, a program that simply didn’t have the same name recognition. Adams knew she found a hidden gem.

“Her motor, the way she played midfield — you could tell she enjoyed playing all over the field,” Adams said. “It wasn’t just about scoring goals or getting draws. She enjoyed every element of the game as a true two-way middle. There was so much upside.”

Wilson, now in her fifth and final season at Loyola, eventually switched over to Skywalkers. She immediately fell in love with the culture at Loyola during an unofficial visit and ultimately committed to becoming a Greyhound. Once she stepped on campus as a student-athlete in the fall of 2018, the veteran leaders immediately proved she made the right choice.

“Taylor VanThof was a senior when I was a freshman,” Wilson said. “She was doing all the draws. Dana [Dobbie] was like, ‘Here, you and Taylor are going to be best friends.’ Hannah Powers was another one. She was a great leader and went out there and did the job. That was something I looked up to.”

You can find the names Powers and VanThof all over the Loyola record books. VanThof graduated as Loyola’s leader in draws. Powers graduated first in points with 317, a number since passed by Livy Rosenzweig. She’s currently fifth all-time in goals with 217.

But Wilson’s name is all over the record books now, too. She passed her former mentor to become Loyola’s all-time draws leader and enters Thursday’s NCAA quarterfinal at No. 1 Northwestern with 444 in her career. Her 193 draws this season are program and Patriot League records, and her 180 career goals are seven shy of Powers.

But the numbers aren’t what set Wilson apart. Her motor doesn’t just fuel her speed, athleticism and stats. It’s responsible for her sheer drive.

“The really cool part of Jillian’s story is the trajectory she took,” Adams said. “When Jillian stepped on campus, she had a lot to learn. She was an incredible athlete and a great lacrosse player, but she wanted to be the best. It’s an exciting story for young players across the nation who have a deep desire to be the best version of themselves and are willing to put in the work.”

Many players say they have that desire, but time tells a different tale. Wilson has a maximum of three collegiate games remaining. Her foot is still squarely on the gas.

“She’s still asking for individuals at a time when we are a week out of making it hopefully to the Final Four,” Adams said. “She’s still out on the field asking to do extra stuff.”

For Wilson, taking control and putting in work when no one is paying attention does as much for her game as it does for her mindset.

“If my dodging wasn’t on that game, I just want to be like, ‘Jen, can we work on dodges?’” Wilson said. “It gives me a calming sense to know that I am actively out there doing it and allows me to push myself to push my teammates.”

Wilson has led by example since day one, but the Greyhounds have looked to her for an extra push in 2023. After a record-setting 20-win 2022, Loyola bid farewell to all-timers like Rosenzweig and Sam Fiedler. Like Wilson, Rosenzweig was a force on attack, in the circle, and most importantly, in the locker room. Wilson became a captain for the first time in 2023, and her voice has struck a perfect chord.

“She comes into a room, and she’s so accountable,” Adams said. “The energy and influence she has in the room rubs off on others. But she understands the balance between competing and having fun, that these are the best friends you’ll take with you for the rest of your life. That’s the secret ingredient for Jillian.”

In Thursday’s quarterfinal, Wilson hopes to mix in another secret ingredient: Experience. The Greyhounds also advanced to last year’s quarterfinals, where they bowed out in a 20-13 loss to Boston College.

It wasn’t the way anyone wanted the season to end. This time, she’s entering the game with the same calming mindset she gets from working when no one is watching.

“One thing I pulled from last year is being here, being in the Elite 8,” Wilson said. “This isn’t such a crazy, huge thing. On the outside, it is … but we’re here to do our job. It’s a business trip. It’s another game for us.”

But it’s different. The Greyhounds’ defense must contain Tewaraaton finalists Izzy Scane and Erin Coykendall — just to name a few offensive stars. And Molly Laliberty has been lights-out in big spots for the Wildcats, who haven’t lost since February.

“We have a different outlook and game plan [than last year],” Wilson said. “It’s important to separate it, take the good things and experience, but at the end of the day, it’s a new year, new game and whole entire year later. We’re excited for the opportunity.”

Wilson will get another opportunity this summer to extend her playing days in Athletes Unlimited. She was taken sixth in the college draft earlier this month. Her teammate, Katie Detwiler, went second.

“When I started playing lacrosse in sixth grade, it wasn’t even a dream in my mind,” Wilson said. “It was such a surreal situation to get picked and the opportunity and honor to get drafted in the first place.”

It was also a bit surreal — and gratifying — for Adams, one of the game’s all-time great players who served as the commissioner of the WPLL, one of the first attempts at a pro league.

“Honestly, it gives me chills,” Adams said. “As Jillian said, we’ve watched the progression of young girls not even being able to talk about it to it being something but not really professional to this. AU, the way they set things up and the professionalism, was really exciting.”

Wilson can count her couch among her legion of fans when the season kicks off in July.

“I don’t want the last game — and hopefully that’s a national championship — to be the last time I get to see Jillian Wilson and Katie Detwiler play,” Adams said. “I’m excited they have this platform. I love it for the sport and for those players and for the future generations who have these young women as mentors. They are great lacrosse players but better people, and any parent would want their kid to grow up like Katie Detwiler and Jillian Wilson.”