Chilton taking soccer talents to New York school

Coral Shores soccer goalie Madeline Chilton signs with Bard College in New York to continue her education and playing career. CONTRIBUTED

Madeline Chilton, the Monroe County Female Soccer Player of the Year, has chosen Bard College in New York to continue her education and playing career.  

Chilton began playing organized soccer at age 4. She took part in the Florida Keys Soccer Club before joining the Cutler Ridge Soccer program. The three-time All-County goalie, Chilton has been training with the International Goalkeeper Training Club each of the past three years. She has been a fixture in goal for Coral Shores since her freshman season.

“My experiences at Coral Shores have taught me how to work well as a team and grown my leadership skills and goalie skills through all the great practice I got during games,” Chilton said. “I’d like to thank Giuseppe Weller for providing me with such hard training that has prepared me for the great challenges ahead and being so supportive through my whole journey.

“I’d like to thank Coach (Pat) Fazio for helping me so much for so many years in club and high school, and finally, I’d like to thank my parents for being my biggest supporters and always having my back no matter what. Through everything, I definitely could not have done any of this without them,” she continued.

Bard College is a private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. The campus overlooks the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, and is within the Hudson River Historic District, a National Historic Landmark.

The school is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III. It competes in the Liberty League, with New York colleges including Clarkson University, St. Lawrence, Union College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rochester Institute of Technology, among others. 

“Madeline’s talent, dedication, and character are going to make a huge difference for our program going forward! Can’t wait to get started,” said William Kelly, Bard College women’s soccer head coach.

Fazio said Chilton is a very focused and hardworking player who always works to improve her skills.

“She’s a fantastic player,” he said. “She’s admired by all of her teammates.”