Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College (Ill.) Women's Soccer Head Coach Patrick Gilliam has announced that Jeanne Nielson will join the Thunder women's soccer team as its full-time assistant coach. Additionally, Molly Thorne ('23) will serve as a graduate assistant while enrolled in Wheaton's grad school next fall.

Nielson is a 2005 graduate to Trinity International University where she played four seasons of soccer for Gilliam, helping lead the Trojans to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship. She was honored as a NCCAA All-American as senior in 2004.

Following graduation, Nielson served as head junior varsity coach at Trinity International (2006-07), and as the head women's soccer coach at Chicago Hope Academy (2007-09). She was a varsity assistant coach and head JV coach at Wheaton Academy (2009-10) and has served as a coach for Wheaton United club soccer since 2017.


 

Gilliam says of the addition of Nielson, "I am extremely excited to have Jeanne as a part of our coaching staff. I look forward to working alongside her and the shared vision we have for a team culture that is highly competitive, and yet also deeply relational…both healthy and high performing." He adds of Nielson, "Jeanne possesses a passion for students and a strong understanding of the unique discipleship and growth opportunities that exist within the world of intercollegiate athletics."

Thorne will earn her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Christian Formation/Ministry in May. Enrolled in Wheaton's graduate school next fall, Thorne will serve as a graduate assistant coach for her alma mater. She played four years of soccer in her time at Wheaton. She was a member of the 2019 and 2021 CCIW Championship teams at Wheaton participated in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament in each of those seasons.