Ms. Gilmore, who died after a medical incident at soccer practice in April, coached the Wildcats for 14 seasons and led the team to six Suffolk County titles, three Long Island championships and a state title while winning 165 games.

She turned the girls’ soccer squad into a powerhouse, guiding the student-athletes to a state semifinal after their second consecutive Long Island title last fall. 

Before the Sept. 27 game, members of the girls’ soccer team held a “Gilmore Game” banner and walked onto the field alongside members of the Gilmore family and the William Floyd team. 

Daughter Kayla Gilmore, who is currently in her sophomore year playing for the University of Maryland women’s lacrosse team, spoke about her mother and the coach she knew her to be. 

“Somehow she knew how to bring out the very best in me, and she did the same thing for her players,” Kayla said. “She wanted her players to be strong, confident women and she showed them how to do that. That’s the culture she built here [at Shoreham-Wading River].” 

Head coach Lydia Kessel spoke about Ms. Gilmore’s legacy and the way her team continues to play in her memory. 

“What is comforting to know is that her legacy lives on in the players she coached, in the lessons she taught and in the love she had for this program,” Ms. Kessel said. “Even though she is no longer here, she is still guiding us.” 

The Wildcats girls’ soccer squad secured a 5-1 victory over William Floyd in the non-league game. The boys’ soccer team followed with a 1-0 victory over Garden City later that afternoon. 

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For the last 13 years, Adrian Gilmore was a compelling fixture on the sidelines for the Shoreham-Wading River girls soccer team. The beloved coach, who impacted every girl that ever stepped foot in the program, won multiple Suffolk County and Long Island championships and one New York State title. She built the soccer program from the ground up to one of the most elite and feared teams on Long Island. Her passion and intensity for the game she loved bled through every minute she spent with the girls.

And for the first home game in a very long time, Gilmore was only there in spirit. A sign with her picture, honoring her memory, was displayed along the fenceline.

On April 22, while coaching lacrosse, Gilmore, 42, suffered a medical emergency and later died, leaving the Wildcat community grieving. 

“We all were in shock,” SWR assistant coach Brian Ferguson said, who coached alongside Gilmore since 2016. “It took me a very long time to process what happened. She was one of my closest friends. I still haven’t come to terms with it but being on the field again brings a sense of normalcy to my life and it’s what she would’ve wanted me to do. That’s why I decided to come back and continue to coach. I want to keep building what she left behind.”

A month earlier, Lydia Kessel, a former SWR goalkeeper under Gilmore, who went on to star at the University of Vermont, was at the high school preparing a presentation for a job opening and ran into Ferguson by chance. 

“I instantly texted Adrian,” Ferguson said. “I wrote, ‘You wouldn’t believe who I just ran into at the school.’ She instantly texted me back with ‘Who’ with a million exclamation marks. When I told her it was Lydia, we both started brainstorming and thought she’d be a perfect candidate for JV coach.”

“I couldn’t say no,” Kessel said, with a tear rushing down her face. “I never could say no. Adrian was the type of coach you would do anything for. I accepted.”

With Gilmore’s unexpected passing, Kessel was asked to take over the program to continue to honor her legacy. It’s a position she doesn’t take lightly.

“I just want to make her proud,” Kessel said. “She was a major influence on my life, starting as a little freshman. She taught me not only how to be a great athlete but also a great teammate and person. I want to continue her legacy here. She is Shoreham-Wading River soccer.”

A week into preseason camp this season, Ferguson opened up his facebook and a memory came across his screen. It was an article of Lydia making the game-winning save at the University of Vermont, and Gilmore had tagged him in it and said, “’That’s our girl!’ To me that was like her way of saying that she’s watching,” Ferguson said. “Shoreham-Wading River Soccer was always about being a family. That’s what she always placed the biggest emphasis on. And Lydia taking over the program is like keeping it in the family.”

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Junior mid-fielder Shealyn Varbaro scores for the Wildcats.(Credit: Bill Landon) First year head coach Lydia Kessel looks on. (Credit: Bill Landon) Shealyn Varbero fires at the net. (Credit: Bill Landon) Shoreham-Wading River senior Mia Mangano pushes up-field. (Credit: Bill Landon) Shoreham-Wading River senior Mia Mangano shoots. (Credit: Bill Landon)

With Gilmore’s brother and father in the stands for the home opener, the Wildcats, who debuted new jerseys featuring a memorial patch of Gilmore, blanked Miller Place, 4-0. Shoreham-Wading River got goals from Olivia Pesso, Shaelyn Varbero, Cali Greco and Mia Mangano.

“We’re playing for Coach Gilmore this season,” Mangano, a senior striker and captain, said. “It’s bigger than just a game for us. It’s everything. She always wanted us to leave everything on the field each game we played, and that’s the mentality we’re going to continue to bring the rest of the season. The sky is the limit for this group. We want to make it back to the states.”

Shoreham-Wading River went to back-to-back New York State final fours the past two seasons under Gilmore’s leadership. They have the talent to do it again. Gilmore will just have to be cheering from up above — following the journey of the girls she taught, coached and mentored.

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Superintendent Gerard Poole confirmed Ms. Gilmore, 42, suffered a medical event on Tuesday afternoon at Albert G. Prodell Middle School and sent a letter on Friday informing the school community of her tragic passing.

“Adrian was not only a dedicated and passionate educator, but an outstanding coach, mentor, and source of inspiration to many generations of SWR colleagues, families and students,” Mr. Poole wrote. “For 20 years, Adrian served as a dedicated educator, most recently teaching sixth grade with unwavering commitment and care.”

In addition to being a respected educator, Ms. Gilmore led the SWR varsity soccer teams to county and state championships as a coach. She was honored as the 2019 Regional High School Coach of the Year for the Fall East Region and earned multiple Coach of the Year awards.

That same year, Ms. Gilmore celebrated her 100th career win. In an interview with the Riverhead News-Review in 2019, the late soccer coach expressed her love for coaching and how she didn’t “do it for the money.”

“I’ve been asked to coach other places, I have never wanted to leave,” she said. “It’s always just been about the community, and I’m proud to be a Wildcat and to represent Shoreham.”

Ms. Gilmore also previously coached lacrosse, as well as for area youth programs and regularly involved her teams in community service efforts — “instilling values of giving back to countless individuals,” Mr. Poole said in his letter.

“More than her impressive achievements, Adrian will be remembered as a mentor for other coaches and teachers, a passionate advocate for children and a trusted colleague whose impact reached far beyond school walls,” Mr. Poole wrote. “Her legacy lives on in the countless lives that she touched as a teacher, coach and community leader. She will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Mr. Poole said the school district will honor Ms. Gilmore’s legacy in the coming days and share information on any memorial services once those details are available. Students, parents and staff are encouraged to use the school district’s grieving support resources.

Ms. Gilmore was also a mother to three children and wife to her husband, Tim. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in support of her family as they navigate healing, funeral expenses and daily needs during this difficult time. The community has surpassed the $50,000 fundraising goal with more than $117,200 raised so far.

Her mother Cathleen Weger confirmed on social media Ms. Gilmore’s organs were donated on April 26 to those in need of life saving surgeries — the same day exactly 28 years ago her grandfather received a heart transplant from a donor. 

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Ms. Gilmore’s life will be held on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Moloney-Sinnicksons Moriches Funeral Home. The following day will be a mass at St. John The Evangelist RC Church in Center Moriches at 9:30 a.m.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.

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