23-year-old’s assist on Carlee Giamonna’s game-winner against Fort Lauderdale highlighted ability to make impact off bench in past season
There were regular moments throughout the 2025/26 season when Tampa Bay Sun FC was looking for an attacking boost off the bench.
In those moments, Jillian Shimkin could be relied on to come to the fore.
As the Sun headed to face in-state rival Fort Lauderdale United on May 2 at Beyond Bancard Field, the former United States U-17 international delivered once again to help maintain Tampa Bay’s upper hand in the rivalry.
Having seen fellow substitute Faith Webber put Tampa Bay ahead from the penalty spot a few minutes earlier, Shimkin had an almost immediate impact upon her introduction to the game in the 74th minute. As the Sun build play down the left side, Sabrina McNeil’s pass found an underlapping Anna Heilferty, whose cutback cross from the byline came to the center of the penalty area.
Shimkin arrived on time to make a deft touch to the top of the box, setting up Carlee Giamonna for a first-time strike to the bottom-right corner and the Sun’s second goal of the night. It ended up proving the game-winner as Tampa Bay remained undefeated against Fort Lauderdale across nine all-time meetings, with the playmaker also logging four chances created overall in her 16 minutes of action.
For her performance, Shimkin has been selected as May’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month, a series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game this season.
Shimkin’s game-winning assist was her third goal contribution off the bench in the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season, tied for the most in the campaign by an individual player.
The 23-year-old notched one goal and two assists overall, but her creativity off the bench offered potential to build on as Tampa Bay enters its offseason. Shimkin recorded 12 chances created in 353 minutes as a substitute – averaging 3.05 chances created per 90 minutes off the bench – as she completed her first professional season.
With Tampa Bay looking to rebound in the upcoming 2026 Gainbridge Super League campaign, the former University of Texas standout could be part of that progression.
***
Just as a high-impact sub can come off the bench to change a game, Prinx Tires has built a reputation as a game-changing, cost-effective solution to premium tire brands. Whether for light trucks, SUVs, commercial trucks, or anything in between, Prinx Tires competes fiercely on quality, performance, and product range—delivering practical performance for the long haul.