McDonough '17 Joins Staff as Volunteer Assistant Coach

Jesse McDonough '17 was part of head coach Sean Driscoll's first two teams after taking over the program at Princeton ahead of the 2015 season, and during the team's 2021 run to an NCAA tournament berth, McDonough has rejoined the program as a volunteer assistant coach.

"It is a sincere privilege to welcome Jesse back to our program," Driscoll said. "A couple of months ago, she inquired about training with our team in an effort to continue her recovery from ACL surgery. Her focus has been to prepare for a return to her professional career. After watching her interaction with the players combined with her quality on the field, it dawned on me that we could all benefit from having Jesse around more often. As a former standout player, Ivy League champion, NCAA tournament participant, experience as a professional player and an acute knowledge and love of all things Princeton, asking Jesse to join us was a no-brainer. Reuniting with a person and player that I have the utmost respect for has made an already unforgettable season even more special. I look forward to what the future holds for Jesse. Whether it is back on a field playing or on the sidelines coaching, she will continue to thrive. In the meantime, I am extremely grateful that our student-athletes are in the company of a truly amazing human being."

McDonough helped Princeton to an Ivy League title and an NCAA tournament berth in 2015, gaining the program's first tournament game at Roberts Stadium and a win over Monmouth in that game in Driscoll's first season. As a senior, McDonough, a defender and midfielder, earned first-team All-Ivy and NSCAA all-region recognition.

"I had originally reached out to Sean to jump into some training sessions with the team here and there, to regain some confidence and get back into a training environment after tearing my ACL last year. I'm so grateful that Sean extended this opportunity to me because it has been such an incredible experience so far," McDonough said. "A huge part of it has been spending time with such great people. I instantly bonded with Nicole McClure about playing over in France. What's been so rewarding is getting to know all the players more and finding ways to support them in anyway I can. I have a great relationship with both Sean and (associate head coach) Mike (Poller), who have always supported me on and off the field. It's a privilege to now be able to help them on this side of the field. I can't think of any words other than it just feels right being able to give back to a program that has had such a positive impact on my life."

McDonough continued her soccer career professionally in France in 2017, competing for Havre Athletic Club and helping the team reach France's top division for the first time with the team's finish in 2020.

McDonough joined Princeton during a season that has seen the team gain an NCAA tournament at-large berth, shutting out six of its Ivy League opponents on the way to a 14-2-1 overall record at the end of the regular season before advancing out of the first round of the NCAA tournament for the third time in Driscoll's six competitive seasons leading the program.

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