FEATURE: Across The Pond And Across America, Caitlin Conroy Generates Goals And Memories
10/1/2026 2:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
England native has found a second home in Statesboro with Georgia Southern women's soccer
STATESBORO - Caitlin Conroy's earliest memories are of a soccer ball at her feet and her family cheering from the sidelines. Long before she became a standout at Georgia Southern, she was just a kid in England, kicking around in the garden and falling in love with the game that would shape her future.
"I first got into the sport when I was about four or five. My family just had me kicking the ball in the garden," Conroy said. "Then in my first year of elementary school, the local football team came in and did a session with us. I went home and realized I wanted to do it outside of school, so my mum let me join the local girls' team. I used to play for them and play for the school with the lads at the same time. I absolutely loved it."
Those simple moments grew into something bigger. As she got older, she realized soccer wasn't just a pastime - it was her passion. "I loved a lot of sports growing up, but the ones I did as well as soccer were mainly netball, swimming, and I did a bit of cross-country too when I was younger," she said. "And then when I was about nine or ten, my family sort of helped me understand that if I really wanted to do well in soccer and take it further, I'd have to stop those other sports. So I did and then I started playing academy football, which helped me a lot."
By her mid-teens, Conroy was already thinking about the next step. "I got given the idea by my family when I was about probably 14 about playing collegiately over in the States, which interested me a lot," she said. "The idea of coming over here and being able to get a degree and play was very intriguing to me. So I decided I definitely wanted to do that probably when I was about 15."
Finding Her Place In The 'Boro
Conroy's path to Statesboro began at a showcase in England. "I was playing in a showcase in England for my agency that helped girls get out to play collegiately in America and Coach Chris was actually at the game," she said. "He spoke to me after the game and showed his interest and talked to me a little bit about what life is like out here."
A few months later, she was on campus with her mother, Lacy. It was then that she knew she'd found her new home. "A couple months later I was on my visit to Georgia Southern and I got to spend a long weekend here with my mom and see what life would be like," she said. "It was a no-brainer that this was where I wanted to come. It had everything I wanted here, the space of living and the facilities we have, and it just intrigued me very much."
Since arriving, Conroy has embraced every part of the experience. "I'd really just say that the goals and the experiences I've had here - I mean, as an international, I think being in America is a memory itself for university," she said. "But being able to travel America and, you know, we've been to Montana, Hawaii, Washington, D.C.; we've been all over and that, as an international, is pretty amazing and it's pretty special to be a part of it."
She's also found a second family in her teammates. "Just the girls, you know, it's a family here," she said. "Being able to meet my lifelong friends here. My roommates are my best friends, the girls are my best friends. Every day being with them is a memory. They're the best people and I couldn't ask for better people to go through college with or college soccer with."
On the pitch, Conroy has grown into collegiate soccer much like a player grows into a game. She has improved each season with the Eagles and, after going 40 matches without finding the back of the net, she scored in back-to-back matches against Arkansas State and Georgia State. Conroy currently ranks second on the team in assists and third in points in this, her fourth season with the Eagles.
The People Behind the Journey
Conroy is quick to credit the people who have supported her from the beginning. "There's been really three main influences in my life," she said. "Naturally, my mum has been there constantly through football. She's took me to every training session since I can remember. She's never complained, no matter the weather. She's been there picking me up from late training nights and taking me to the gym when I needed to go. She's a massive inspiration to me. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Her aunts have also played a crucial role. "My two aunts, my Auntie Emma and my Auntie Hannah, they again have been on every sideline supporting since I can remember," she said. "They've given me that tough love I've needed sometimes and told me what I need to do to get to the next level. Hearing that has helped a lot. Without them, again, I wouldn't be at Georgia Southern and I wouldn't be where I am right now or even the person I am right now."
Looking Ahead
As she looks to the future, Conroy's goals are clear. "I hope to do one of two things," she said. "I hope to either play professionally - that is a massive dream of mine, wherever it is. I would like to stay out in the States if I can, but I understand that the professional route may take me elsewhere."
If playing professionally doesn't work out, she still wants to stay connected to the game she loves. "If not pro, I would love to coach," she said. "For me, soccer has been a part of my life since I was four or five now. It's so enjoyable to me. I can't imagine my life without it. I would love to coach and put in my love of football to younger girls and girls that also want to go and accomplish big things in soccer. That's a big dream of mine."
From her first kick in the garden to her career at Georgia Southern, Caitlin Conroy's journey is a testament to family, determination, and the love of the game.
