Julia Neilson was a two-sport star at Eastern Connecticut State University. She was named the Little East Conference (LEC) women’s soccer and softball Rookie of the Year, and earned a combined six all-LEC honors over her four years. She is one of just two student-athletes to be named LEC Rookie of the Year both sports in conference history.
On the soccer pitch, Neilson was named a First Team All-Conference selection in 1998, in addition to being named Rookie of the Year, after totaling 10 goals and 24 points. She matched those scoring totals and was again named a First Team All-Conference selection as a senior, helping lead the Warriors to a 13-5-1 overall record and the program’s first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament berth since 1994.
Neilson played in 71 of a possible 72 games during her soccer career, and remains among Eastern’s career leaders in goals (fifth, 32), game-winning goals (eighth, 9), assists (ninth, 18) and total points (sixth, 82). She ranked second in goals, game-winners and points at the conclusion of her playing career. Her senior campaign saw her named a Second Team All-Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association, and she was selected to play in the NEWISA Senior All-Star Classic.
On the softball diamond, Neilson earned the first of three All-LEC honors during her freshman campaign. She was named a First Team outfielder after batting .393 with 48 hits, 24 runs scored and 28 total bases, leading the team in each of those categories while starting in all 41 games. She repeated as a First Team selection as a sophomore, posting team-best totals of 40 hits, 33 runs and 35 stolen bases, before being named a Second Team All-Conference selection as a junior.
Neilson earned First Team All-Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in 1999 and 2000, and was additionally named an All-Region pick by the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches' Association following her rookie season. Her 35 stolen bases as a sophomore remain the program’s single-season record, as do her 93 career thefts and four stolen bases against Plymouth State April 1, 2000.
Neilson earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Eastern Connecticut in 2002. She was inducted into the University’s E-Club Hall of Fame in 2016.