Rio Grande News
Ashley Gilley of Northwest High School dons her Rio Grande women's soccer jersey
Ashley Gilley of Northwest High School dons her Rio Grande women's soccer jersey
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 - [Women's Soccer]
April 8, 2010

RedStorm women add Northwest's Gilley

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's soccer program continues to stockpile new talent for the 2010 season with the recent signing of Ashley Gilley from Northwest High School.

 
Gilley, a 5'1" defender, earned 1st team girls' all-district honors as a senior this past fall playing on the Mohawk boys' team. She was honorable mention all-district as a junior in 2008. 
 

Gilley garnered 2nd team All-Southern Ohio Conference honors three years running and also earned 2nd team All-SOC honors in track one year. 

 

Her prowess on the field extended to the classroom as she earned an Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches' Association All-Ohio Academic Award in 2009. She currently possesses a 3.7 grade point average.

 

She expressed her excitement in signing with Rio Grande. "I am excited to become a part of the Rio RedStorm," Gilley said. "Rio Grande has a good education program and an outstanding soccer program."

 

Gilley talked about the key factors for her in making the decision to sign with Rio Grande. "The location, the beautiful country atmosphere and a chance to play college soccer," Gilley said.  

 

Rio Grande head coach Amber Oliver is pleased to add a student/athlete the caliber of Gilley to the program. "Ashley will be a great addition to our 2010 women's soccer team.  She is a very hardworking player that gives 100% all of the time," Oliver said.  "She will help provide much needed depth to our defense."

 

Gilley plans to major in special education.

 

Gilley considers her will to win as her best asset and she also mentioned what she feels she needs to work on to be a better player at the college level. "My desire to play well and my will win are my best assets," Gilley said. "I need to improve my shooting."

 

Coach Oliver sees the fact that Gilley played on a boys team as a plus and should make the adjustment to the college game a little easier for her. "Ashley had the opportunity of playing soccer on a boys team; therefore, she has the distinct advantage of being accustomed to a faster paced, more physical game," Oliver said. "This will help Ashley in her transition to the college level."

 

Gilley wants to be remembered as a player who made an impact on the Rio team when her career is finished. "My goal is show improvement every year and a have a positive impact on the team."

 

Ashley is the daughter of Danny and Paula Gilley of Otway.

 

Gilley joins Mary Schramm of Marietta High School, Cassie Kyle of Waverly and Alexandria Davis of Teays Valley High School as the current members of what is shaping up to be a very impressive Rio Grande recruiting class.