SPORTS

For Davidson soccer players Shannon Lytle and Abigail Jeanneault, it all just kind of made sense.

They had the same kinds of goals for the summer, so the two Wildcats are living, working and playing together in Charleston, S.C.

Lytle is interning as a risk management analyst for Ally Bank, while Jeanneault is a sales and marketing intern for Hitachi ABB Power Grids. They’re sharing an apartment and both playing for the Charleston Fleet of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

“It just shows the kinds of scholar-athletes we have,” says Wildcats coach Adam Denton. “Davidson not only provides the opportunity to play Division I athletics at a high-academic school, but it also provides wonderful opportunities for them in the summer. These opportunities help them grow as a person, so when they’re graduated from Davidson, they can go on to great things.”

When Lytle found out her internship was remote, she knew she wanted to spend her summer near the coast.

“I thought of, ‘who would be crazy enough to make this leap with me?'” says Lytle, who just wrapped up her junior season. “And I knew the perfect person was Abby. We looked for places to live along the coast and decided Charleston would be the best place. It has been amazing thus far to be living with Abby this summer because we are able to hold each other accountable, go to practice together, get our work done and still find time to enjoy our summer.” 

Jeanneault, who just completed her sophomore year, was quickly on board.

“Being able to live with someone with so much passion for everything she does is super inspiring and definitely a motivator for me to achieve the same level of passion and energy,” says Jeanneault. “On top of all of that, she is one of my best friends, and I am so excited to spend the summer with her.”

An economics major from Manahawkin, N.J., Lytle aspires to later study abroad to earn her master’s degree in finance and one day work for a bank. In her internship, she’s looking over and republishing policies, working on projects and handling behind-the-scenes logistics that make the company operate smoothly.

Jeanneault, a data science major from Ellicott City, Md., was recruited to Hitachi ABB as a data analyst, and in her internship, she’s helping create a dashboard to streamline information for the company’s departments, which entails collecting data and compiling it in easy-to-consume numbers and graphs.

The internships will help the two gain experience, develop skills and make connections. But testing the waters in their chosen fields is the primary goal.

“As of day three, I am loving it,” says Jeanneault.

With the Fleet, which will open WPSL play next week, the two Wildcats hope to continue their on-field development in a team environment as they prepare for the quick turnaround of a typical fall season after helping the Wildcats reach the Atlantic 10 final this spring.

“The atmosphere is highly competitive and intense,” says Lytle. “I am really excited to stay in ‘soccer shape’ and improve the skills I need to work on so I can be better for this upcoming season. In addition, all the girls are fantastic and have different soccer backgrounds.”