It was announced on December 1, 2004 that Jill Hutchinson (member of the WCUSC U-17G1 Predators) had made the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas all-American team. She was the only current high school player from Southeastern Pennsylvania - male or female - selected to the squad.

The following article is courtesy of Ira Josephs, Philadelphia Inquirer Suburban Staff Writer

(December 9, 2004) Jill Hutchinson is far too modest to nickname her soccer shots. But the Conestoga junior forward will politely offer description when asked.

"There are so many different ways to shoot the ball," she said. "It depends on the situation. You can have a bullet, or a chip, or a bend." There are plenty of ways to describe Hutchinson's play on the field: acrobatic, amazing and athletic, to get the alphabet rolling. But her latest award says it best: all-American.

It was announced on Dec. 1 that Hutchinson had made the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas all-American team. She was the only current high school player from Southeastern Pennsylvania - male or female - selected to the squad.

"I was surprised," said Hutchinson, 17, of Wayne. "It's such a big honor. I never expected to get it as a junior. When I was nominated, I thought that was a huge deal."

Danielle Fagan, Conestoga's first-year soccer coach, said she wasn't surprised by Hutchinson's honor.

"To see a player with that amount of skill at her age is shocking," said Fagan, who played at Villanova University in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "I've seen a lot of World Cup games and women's national team practices. I am really impressed by her ability. Her shot is extremely powerful. She's strong with both feet."

When Fagan arrived for preseason practice, she had heard all about Hutchinson. Could the player be as good as promised?

"I had never seen her play before," Fagan said. "I tried to downplay some of the hype. I tried to go in with a clean slate selecting the team. Once I hit the first day of tryouts, there was no question she was an unbelievable player among her peers."

Hutchinson, an A student at Conestoga, helped the Pioneers to a spectacular season. She totaled 43 goals and nine assists as Conestoga went 21-3 and advanced to the PIAA Class AAA state semifinals against Downingtown West. Although Hutchinson was marked in the physical game, she still scored both goals in the 3-2 loss to the Whippets on Nov. 16.

"She tries to put the team on her shoulders," Fagan said. "She never thinks she's done enough for the team. She's a leader, a silent leader. She can definitely dictate the play of the game and the mood."

Said Hutchinson: "It was all about the team. The whole time we were having fun."

Like almost all players, Hutchinson's career began on the youth level. She began playing intramurals with Tredyffrin-Easttown before age 7, and advanced to the travel team by age 8.

"I was probably no better than the rest," she said. "Just from the start, I had a lot of fun with it."

While Hutchinson also played basketball, softball and lacrosse, it was clear soccer was her sport before she was a teenager.

"I loved soccer the best," she said. "I wanted to focus on that."

As a Conestoga freshman, Hutchinson tallied 19 goals and eight assists. Her totals increased to 24 goals and 13 assists last year.

In addition to starring for the Pioneers, Hutchinson plays with the West Chester Predators, an elite under-17 team, and the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association '87 Olympic Developmental program.

"Her technique is tremendous," said Predators coach Lee Martin, who has been working with Hutchinson for more than four years. "She's able to create space. She's able to bring the ball into tight areas and create a shot out of nothing. She's a very clinical finisher.

"Her movement off the ball is very good. She's already moving way before the defenders know what is going on. She's a step ahead of anyone else on the field."

An unquenchable appetite for work is the unquestionable answer for Hutchinson's success.

Along with playing year-round, she works on her speed, strength and agility three days a week. She hopes to play Division I soccer, and Division I soccer coaches are showing plenty of interest already.

"I think about what I have to work on and go from there," Hutchinson said. "It's always a step up every year, and there's something you can improve on."

Click here for the Daily Local News Article on Jill Hutchinson.