2011 TEAM CAPTAIN
2010 FIRST-TEAM ALL-SOCON
2010 TEAM CAPTAIN
2008 SOCON ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
The undisputed leader of the team . . . never afraid . . . goes in hard and is committed on every tackle . . . has scored some very big goals for our team . . . has the ability to score with all surfaces of the body and is always hanging out in the goal waiting to punch one into the back of the net.
2010 (junior): Named a First-Team All-Southern Conference member . . . ranked second on the SoCon[apos]s Active Career Leaders list in game-winning goals (9) . . . team captain of the Bulldogs[apos] squad that finished with a 13-6-3 overall record and advanced to the championship match of the SoCon Tournament . . . concluded the season tied for second place in the conference[apos]s statistical rankings in game-winning goals (4) . . . earned playing time in 21 of the team[apos]s 22 matches and started in 16 of the Bulldogs[apos] contests . . . logged 1,224 minutes of game action and finished the campaign with five goals and an assist for 11 points . . . rattled off 28 shot attempts, with 17 coming on goal for a phenomenal .607 shots-on-goal percentage . . . led the squad with four game-winning goals, including two in overtime . . . ranked second on the team in both goals (5) and points (11) . . . converted a crucial penalty-kick attempt in Samford[apos]s shootout victory against Davidson in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament (Oct. 31) . . . scored a pair of goals to lead the Bulldogs to a pivotal 2-0 triumph against College of Charleston (Oct. 1) . . . in the eighth minute of double overtime, she scored the game-winning goal against Furman in a thrilling 3-2 triumph held at Bulldog Field (Oct. 10) . . . for a second straight match, she scored the golden goal in overtime that led to a key SoCon victory against Appalachian State (Oct. 15) . . . tallied the key assist in the Bulldogs[apos] 1-0 conference triumph over Western Carolina (Oct. 17) . . . logged a career-high 83 minutes of play in Samford[apos]s thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind victory against The Citadel in the semifinal round of the SoCon Tournament . . . earned her third varsity letter.
2009 (sophomore): Played a major role in Samford[apos]s offensive attack that finished the campaign ranked second in the Southern Conference in goals per game (1.61) . . . scored the game-winning goal in the Bulldogs[apos] hard-fought 1-0 road victory against Belmont (Sept. 13) . . . tallied the decisive score against Belmont during the 51st minute of play . . . finished the season ranked fifth in the SoCon in game-winning goals (3), ninth in the league in goals per game (0.36) and 10th in the conference in points per game (0.79) . . . earned playing time in 14 of the Bulldogs[apos] 18 matches and received 10 starts . . . logged 730 minutes of game action and finished the season with five goals and an assist for a total of 11 points . . . ranked second on the team in goals scored (5) and third in points (11) . . . she was also tied for first place on the team in game-winning goals (3) . . . in displaying her offensive prowess, she only needed to rattle off a total of 16 shot attempts . . . nine of her 16 attempts proved to be on-goal for a stellar .562 shot-on-goal percentage . . . registered a season-high mark of 97 minutes played against 25th-ranked Auburn on Aug. 23 . . . earned her second varsity letter.
2008 (freshman): Earned Southern Conference All-Freshman Team honors . . . named the SoCon Player of the Week on Oct. 28 after she scored two of the team[apos]s three goals en route to a pair of key conference road victories against both Appalachian State (Oct. 24) and Western Carolina (Oct. 26) . . . finished the season ranked 10th in the SoCon in goals scored with five . . . played in all 21 matches of the season and earned starts in 14 contests . . . finished the year tied for first place on the team in goals (5) and second in points (11) . . . logged 1,244 minutes of game action, and rattled off 14 shots, 10 of which were on goal for an exceptional .714 shots-on-goal percentage . . . scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Samford[apos]s one-sided 3-0 victory over Elon (Sept. 26) . . . tallied the Bulldogs[apos] game-winning score versus Appalachian State in the 27th minute of play Oct. 24 . . . earned her first varsity letter.
2007 (medical redshirt): Started the first two games of the season before an injury forced her to sit out the remainder of the year.
High School: Member of Samford[apos]s record-setting 2007 recruiting class that was ranked 68th in the nation, No. 15 in the Southeast Region and the best in the Ohio Valley Conference . . . played her club soccer with the highly-successful DFW Tejanos 89s under the tutelage of head coach Gilbert Richardson . . . the Tejanos play in one of the toughest leagues in the country, the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League, and she served as team captain from 2003-07 . . . played her prep soccer for Birdville High School where she received numerous accolades . . . named the Star Telegram[apos]s Newcomer of the Year and earned Player of the Year honors . . . was also named the Gatorade Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, District Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player . . . was also voted by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches to the All Region Team . . . named to the NSCAA Southwest Region High School team in 2006 . . . also lettered in volleyball and track at BHS.
Personal: Born May 2, 1989 . . . daughter of Lisa and Joe Wilkinson . . . majoring in graphic design.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH WILKINSON
I can[apos]t imagine going a night without: pulling an all-nighter
I have to admit, I am really good at: guessing when people[apos]s birthdays are
My most prized possession is: my hand-made card collection
Favorite sing: [quote]Amy[quote] by Pure Prairie League
Favorite player: Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
My favorite Samford memory was: one of my first times at Samford. It was orientation and I felt like every other new college freshman. I was excited, but nervous with anticipation of what college was going to be like. That day I moved into the overnight dorm they placed us in for the duration of orientation anxiously awaiting the roommate I would have that night. As I started unpacking, my mom and I could hear one of the suite-mates next door getting situated. They must of heard us as well because they came over to the my room and our moms introduced themselves and then us to each other... as if we were six years old again. The girl and I looked each other up and down and we shook hands somewhat apologetically as if to say [quote]sorry my mom is so embarrassing[quote]. To make a long story short, that girl and I went on to be best friends. She never left my side in all my times at Samford. We made it through all-nighters, tests, projects, boys, and even got to know each other[apos]s families very well. When I was acting in that instant I didn[apos]t think that moment was so great, but looking back now I realize the impact that day had. In my first moments at Samford I found a friend that has gone above and beyond for me and is a part of all my other great memories at Samford.
The thing I[apos]ll miss the most about Samford soccer is: There are definitely perks of being a college athlete that I will miss ... the travel, the food, the recognition, the gear, the victories, the opportunities, the traditions, the facilities and the team dinners at Jay[apos]s house. But the perks only come from the drive, dedication and determination that are the roots of this program. Without the people who involve themselves with Samford soccer, our family would not exist. I will miss our 6 a.m., workouts with Coach (Felicia) Locklin and even in my short time knowing her she has helped me to push myself and my body. I will miss Michelle (Dorsey), who from day one would talk me though whatever drama I was stuck in. I will miss Coach (Todd) Yelton and his motivation to guide me. His trust and confidence in me, and his overall care for the team. He definitely treats each of us girls as his own. I will miss Jay and his inspirational videos/ films and touching stories. I[apos]ll miss his passion for the game and how it[apos]s unleashed every time he steps on our field. I will miss his encouraging words to me and his belief in me as a player and a person. I will miss all the people who have influenced all that I have learned here at Samford. Not just teaching to improve my play, but to inspire me, push me and mold me into the woman I have become.
The most important thing I can tell incoming freshmen is:
Just remember you will be scared, you will get homesick, you will cry, you will want to quit, you will try your hardest, you will be pushed, you will pull more all-nighters in college then any time in your life, you will be tested, you will have to work and things will have to get worse before they will get better. They will have to get hard before they get easy. But after taking the journey of college, I wouldn[apos]t change a thing. Absorb all you can, seek knowledge; find your path and tough it out. It[apos]s not going to be easy but it[apos]s going to be some of the best moments in your life.
