Shimkin sisters of Rockville Centre will both play for the University of Texas

Rockville Centre natives Jilly Shimkin and her sister, Chloe, are looking to make an impression at the University of Texas in the fall soccer season, when the two emerging stars will have the opportunity to play on the same team, in NCAA Division I competition, for the first time in their careers.

Jilly, 21, joined the Longhorns women’s squad in 2022, her sophomore year of college, after transferring from Penn State. She is headed into her senior year in the fall. Chloe, 18, will soon join her at Texas after signing her national letter of intent last November.

Both Shimkins are considered to be among the best female soccer prospects in the United States. Chloe and Jilly began playing at ages 3 and 4, respectively, and both credit their parents, Jodie and Peter, for helping them develop a passion for the sport, recognizing their talent and pushing them to develop a taste for competition.

“Our parents have always supported us and given us the tools that we needed to succeed,” Jilly said. “Our dad has always been a competitive person, being a wrestler in Rockville Centre and in college. He always pushes us, and will always support us and is our biggest fan, as well as our mom.”

Chloe credited her parents and siblings, particularly their brother, Nick, for their unwavering support, and for watching all their games since they were kids.

The Shimkins are devoted fans of the Manchester City Football Club, and have a family tradition of watching the English Premier League together. And both sisters have competed on international teams. Chloe, a forward, played for the United States Youth Football National Team and the Under-18 National Team, while Jilly, a midfielder and forward at Texas, played on the Under-14, U15, U16, U17, U20 and U23 national teams in middle and high school and now college. Both hope to play professional soccer.

Asked about some of the more difficult aspects of soccer training and skill development, both sisters mentioned that developing creativity and having individual training in a team sport had helped them.

“I think the most difficult part is just the tactical side of the game, because I feel that you have to have a good feel for it,” Chloe said. “Being able to really study the game and watch the game has given both of us a good sense of what to do on the field.”

Having played on the Texas squad for the past two years, Jilly has experienced both the victories and the challenges that come with competing at the collegiate level. The team has an impressive record of 32-6-6 since she arrived. In 2022 the Longhorns made it to the second round of the Women’s NCAA soccer championships and continued to play at a consistently high level in 2023, making it to the third round before losing to Florida State, which went on to win the national title.

Jilly said she plans to become a soccer coach after her playing career and offered her sister some advice about playing on the Division 1 level. “It’s difficult,” Jilly said. “You have to be a good teammate, a good soccer player, a good athlete, and a good student. Managing your time, getting all your assignments done and then enjoying it. Enjoying all of it every single year, and not getting too ahead of yourself, because it goes by really fast.”

She also mentioned that she spent her summer with the U.S. Women’s Futsal Camp. Futsal, or indoor soccer, is a popular global sport that emphasizes control, improvisation, creativity and technique. The first international FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will take place in 2025 in the Philippines, and Jilly is a member of the squad that is training for the tournament.

Chloe said she looked forward to playing soccer with her sister. She also imparted a bit of wisdom for young athletes who may be striving for the heights that she and Jilly have reached.

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do with your abilities,” Chloe said. “Just being yourself and being authentic will take you far.”