Girls’ varsity soccer standout Evie Avillo has announced her commitment to play collegiate soccer at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Avillo’s early decision comes after a standout junior season, during which she served as captain and earned First Team All-County and All-State Honorable Mention. Her leadership on and off the field and her calm, composed style of play earned her recognition from teammates and coaches.
For most players, adjusting to the speed and pressure of varsity sports takes time, but not for Avillo. She made varsity her freshman year, a feat rarely achieved at WJ. From day one, she brought a strong work ethic, focus and leadership that have helped shape the team’s identity.
“Over the years, she’s set the tone for what it means to show up, compete and lead. She pushes herself and the people around her to get better, and she does every day,” girls’ varsity soccer head coach Neil Gottlieb said.
When it came to choosing a college, Avillo was looking for more than just a strong soccer program. She wanted a school that challenged her academically as well as athletically.
Emory, a top D3 school with a competitive soccer program and rigorous academics, checked all of Avillo’s boxes.
“I always knew I wanted to go to a high academic college,” Avillo said. “Other important qualities I looked for were a good team environment, supportive coaches, and good team chemistry. I also just really like the campus, and when I visited the school, ”
Avillo’s presence on the field has never failed to be recognized, but her impact as a Wildcat has gone far beyond her stats. This season, she led the Wildcats alongside two Second-Team All-County seniors, Ella Hoban and Maya Panicker. The trio of captains led the Wildcats to the regional semifinals before losing to Quince Orchard and falling short of their expectations.
“She had a great way of holding people accountable while still being supportive, which helped build a lot of trust,” Gottlieb said. “Evie led by example every day — she showed up, worked hard, communicated clearly and made sure the team stayed focused.”
Avillo’s teammates look to confide in her energy and comfort on the field for inspiration, the simple mix of what elevates her game to the next level.
“Evie brings a huge amount of energy to everything she does,” sophomore goalkeeper Chloe Russ said. “She’s one of the people who makes me look forward to practices and games.”
And while she’s accomplished a lot already, Avillo’s soccer journey goes beyond WJ. Last year, Avillo took her talent to Sweden, where she had the opportunity to train and compete internationally with the Swedish youth national team. This experience gave her a new perspective on the game and helped her prepare for the next level.
As Avillo’s senior season approaches, her main goal is simple: bringing WJ a state championship.
“For my last season of high school soccer, I just want to make it as successful as possible,” Avillo said. “I want everyone on the team to have a bunch of fun. I want to try to get this team to go as far as possible. Winning a state championship is our main goal for this season, so I am excited to try and help lead the team to that.”
