July 17, 2008

BOSTON - Former Boston University women's soccer standout Jessica Clinton will return to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the Terriers in 2008, head coach Nancy Feldman announced on Thursday. Clinton ('04) most recently served as an assistant coach at St. John's.

"To have a former student-athlete come back to join the coaching staff is rewarding from a personal and professional standpoint," said Feldman. "Her passion for BU, love of coaching and her aspirations to develop into a head coach someday are all satisfying to see in a former student-athlete. Professionally she offers a lot to our program. She was an extremely gifted student-athlete here and a wonderful goalkeeper with very good pedigree in regard to training. At St. John's she has also been involved in recruiting, which is a school we feel we are competitive with and is in a strong conference."

Clinton remains one of the Terriers' most accomplished goalkeepers as she sits at the top of the school record books in saves in a season (98) and saves in a career (312), while also ranking seventh in career goals-against average (1.10) and sixth in career save percentage (.802). Clinton was the 2003 America East Goalkeeper of the Year and a member of three AE championship teams (2000, 2001, 2003). She was an America East All-Conference First Team honoree in 2001 and 2003, while collecting NSCAA All-Northeast Region Team honors as a senior. In addition, Clinton trained with the Boston Breakers of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) for one season in 2003.

"When she got here, she excelled on the field and had a stint with WUSA as a training player between her junior and senior year, which was an invaluable opportunity," continued Feldman. "The higher level you can play the more experience you have to bring as a coach, and she can relate to the demands of a student-athlete."

The Valley Stream, N.Y., native has since gained experience in the coaching ranks, most recently serving as an assistant at St. John's for the past year. In addition to her stint with the Red Storm, Clinton was the head coach of the Girls U-10/11 team for the Long Island United Academy and the goalkeeping coach for the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP). Clinton also continued to serve as a counselor for the David Bucciero Goalkeeping Academy from 2001-07.

Clinton is a holder of the LIJSL/ENY Youth Soccer Association State "A" Coaching License and NSCAA National Diploma and Advanced Regional Diploma. She currently resides in Flushing, N.Y.