West Deptford Grad Lindsay Getting It Done for Drexel Soccer, Nursing

Jenna Lindsay certainly had a vision for her future when deciding to attend Drexel University back in 2008.

As a second-team all-state selection, the West Deptford High School graduate and Thorofare resident was looking for the opportunity to continue playing soccer while pursing another passion of hers–nursing. And for many of the colleges she was interested in, it wasn't a popular decision.

"A lot of them told me how nursing and playing soccer is so hard, and they didn't think I'd be able to do it," the senior said on Tuesday during a rare break in her busy schedule. "(Drexel women's soccer) Coach (Ray) Goon said during my visit here that there were other players who have done it. The co-op program sets you up so well that it's unbelievable. You get your name out there and helps set you up for a job once you graduate.

"You learn so much and it's all hands-on."

Drexel promotes full-time undergraduate students to alternate periods of classroom theory with professional experience prior to graduation. Students are expected to take advantage of every possible opportunity to observe different aspects of the workplace and to gain experience in their field of choice.

And for her four years, Lindsay has done her co-op on the neurology floor at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), working hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses and hospital staff, gaining invaluable experience in what she hopes to turn into her profession upon graduation.

She's also happens to be the school's career goals leader after registering her second goal of the season on Sept. 2 in a win over Temple to eclipse former record-holder Aleka Yiantsos' mark of 20. Lindsay has four goals this year while serving as a tri-captain.

"I know going into your freshman year, you are scared out of your mind with all of these big-time athletes," Lindsay said. "You always hear how tough college soccer is, and I go out and score ten goals and break a (single-season goals) record. To break the career record this year is just awesome, but I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammates."

Drexel is 4-4-2 to start the season, thanks to a more difficult out-of-conference schedule, which Lindsay said was part of a challenge by Goon ahead of their tough Colonial Athletic Association slate. Despite a preseason prediction at the bottom of the league, the Dragons are 2-0 in conference play heading into Thursday's match at Hofstra.

"When the preseason polls came out, we were picked last," Lindsay says. "That made us all mad and we wanted to prove them wrong. We contended last year and thought we deserved to be a little bit higher. Conference play is a totally different ballgame, because each game is a battle because everyone is so good, so to start out 2-0 is pretty awesome."

Lindsay believes that her club soccer experience best prepared her for playing at the college level, both as a former West Deptford Wild player, as well as a top player for the Eagles.

"High school soccer was always very competitive but it's so much fun. I miss it now," Lindsay said. "I have a sister (Kelly) who plays high school soccer right now and I tell her to cherish that because you are with all your friends.

"I feel like club soccer really prepared me because of all of the training you get there. I always played up a level on my travel squads at West Deptford. And then I moved up to TBA Commerce, and the training there was so much more high-caliber, with all the tournaments and training every week."

Lindsay was selected second-team all-CAA selection the last two seasons, and has been picked as the team's most valuable player twice. She also received a CAA Commissioner Academic Award last year. And though she may miss soccer after this season, Jenna appears excited about what the future holds.

"If I stay on as a tech this whole time, when I graduate I'm hoping to have a job working at CHOP," Lindsay says. "I've always wanted to work there. I love being around little kids and working in that atmosphere."