COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University Athletics Department recently announced that the 9th Annual Girls In The Game Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 25 in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center, with presenting sponsor Hughston Clinic.

This year's keynote speaker sponsored by the Hunter Lecture Series is Kristine Lilly, a USA Soccer Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist. Following the luncheon, Lilly will host a free soccer clinic at the Walden Soccer Complex on CSU's Main Campus, sponsored by Coca-Cola. Participants must register ahead of time for the clinic.

"We are super excited to have Kristine Lilly as our keynote speaker for the Girls in the Game luncheon," said CSU head women's soccer coach Jay Entlich. "Kristine's unparalleled success on and off the field as a student athlete and professional women's soccer pioneer is phenomenal."

Entlich had the opportunity to coach Lilly on the US National Team in 2001, so having her travel to Columbus to speak to the community and University is special.

"From winning several collegiate National Championships to US Women's World Cups and gold medals, her journey from start to finish of playing in more soccer matches for her country than any other player in the history of the sport says so much about her drive and commitment to the sport," commented Entlich. "We absolutely can't wait to have her reach our community on so many levels when she arrives in late April."

Lilly is one of the greatest female soccer players in the history of the game. She retired as a player in 2010, but is still the world's all-time leader in international appearances, male or female, with 354. She was the first player in US history to hit 100, 200 and 300 caps, the final number being previously unimaginable.

With 130 career goals, she is third all-time in US history and the all-time leader in minutes played, she has worn the USA uniform for 28,874 minutes. Remarkably, she appeared for the US in four different decades and was both the youngest and oldest player ever to score for the US Women's National Team.

Lilly played in five World Cups – winning in 1991 and 1999 – and her 30 all-time matches in World Cup play is still a US record. She also played 16 matches over three Olympic Games and won two Olympic gold medals, in 1996 and 2004.

Known as one of the fittest players on the team and a tremendous teammate and leader over her entire career, Lilly played in every World Cup and Olympic match for the US over eight world championships from 1991-2007. She was inducted in the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012 and US Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. Lilly is a graduate of the University of North Carolina with a degree in communications and was a four-time NCAA Champion, ACC Champion and All-American.

"We are very excited to have the talented Kristine Lilly be our keynote speaker this year," stated the Chair of Girls In The Game, Janet Davis. "Her remarkable accomplishments will be inspiring to all in attendance, and we have been grateful to grow this event to an incredible level through the generosity of support from our sponsors and patrons."

Launched in 2015, the Girls In The Game mission is to advance and support Columbus State University's female student-athletes, allowing them to reach their full potential academically and athletically, while empowering them to become leaders in life.

In 2019, eight female student-athletes were recognized as the first Girls In The Game scholar athletes and received scholarship support from proceeds. Since then, 40 female student-athletes have received scholarships. Past speakers include tennis legend Tracy Austin, FIFA Women's World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain, World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sörensen, Professional Softball Player and Olympic Pitcher and Gold Medalist Jennie Finch and WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Tamika Catchings.

For more information on Girls In The Game and to purchase tickets and register for the clinic, please click here. All pre-registered participants for the clinic will receive a free soccer jersey.