Two former University of Texas football players, Jilly Shimkin and Ashlyn Miller, recently returned to Texas to compete at a venue steeped in tradition and significance for their alma mater.
“It’s a beautiful field. It’s a huge field, and obviously knowing the history of the Texas/OU game, it meant a lot for both of us to play there,” Shimkin remarked, reflecting on their match at Dallas’s Cotton Bowl Stadium with Brooklyn Football Club.
Although neither athlete had played American football in the iconic stadium, they understood its importance. Miller shared her nostalgic experience, saying, “I used to dream about playing in the stadium, and now I’m actually doing it.” The McKinney native had visited the venue previously for youth soccer events but had never attended the famed Red River Rivalry football game.
“We always had a game where we were away or had a home game the next day, so we never got to go. But we watched it on TV,” Shimkin explained.
Miller’s family made the 200-mile journey down Interstate 35 to support her during the game against Dallas Trinity FC, a common occurrence throughout her college career. Relationships played a significant role in her decision to join the Longhorns. “My friends from club soccer were all committed there, and it was close to home. The moment they committed and UT reached out, it was a no-brainer for me,” she said.
Shimkin’s path to Texas was quite different. Hailing from Rockville Centre, New York, she initially attended Penn State but had built connections with several Longhorn teammates through U.S. youth national teams, including Lexi Missimo and Trinity Byars. “When I entered the portal and Ange (Kelly, the Texas coach) reached out, it felt like an obvious choice,” she recounted.
Living and playing together in Austin strengthened their bonds, both on and off the field. “We were constantly looking to assist each other, and that really helps,” Shimkin stated. Miller added, “When you trust each other off the field, it translates to better performance on the field.” Together, the group secured two conference tournament championships and a regular-season title during their college tenure.
Now at Brooklyn FC, both players are eager to replicate their successes. Miller had signed with the club during the offseason, and Shimkin was thrilled to learn of the opportunity to join her friend. “When Ashton texted me asking if I was coming to Brooklyn, I replied, ‘Yeah, I’m waiting for my contract,’” Shimkin shared, expressing her excitement about reuniting with familiar faces.
Shimkin’s parents, who lived farthest away during her college years, can now easily attend her games by crossing Long Island. In contrast, Missimo is currently playing in France, and Byars is in San Diego. Miller’s father expressed his gratitude for being able to watch his daughter play more frequently than he could during her time in Brisbane, Australia.
The nature of women’s professional soccer means that while Miller and Shimkin might continue their journey together in Brooklyn, future opportunities could lead them to distant locations. Many of their former Longhorn teammates have continued their careers in countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Iceland. However, the strong connections they fostered during their time at Texas are evident through their vibrant interactions on social media, filled with supportive comments and emojis.
“That group and that team will always be close friends,” Shimkin said. “I believe we will maintain that bond forever.” Miller echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that the friendships forged through soccer extend well beyond their time in the Lone Star State.
