Hall of Fame
Originally from Jamaica, Paula Jackson becomes the first goalkeeper in school history to be selected to the Athletic Hall of Fame. She helped the Vulcans achieve unprecedented success while with the program from 2009-11.
As a sophomore, Cal captured the Atlantic Regional Championship while making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Vulcans again claimed the regional title in 2011 after also winning the first PSAC Championship in program history. In 2009, Jackson ranked among the top three in the league in shutouts and goals-against average (GAA) after transferring from Newberry (S.C.). In four games in the NCAA Tournament, she allowed only a total of two goals and recorded a shutout victory in the Atlantic Regional Championship. The following year, Jackson finished third in the country in GAA behind a school-record 13 shutouts and also ranked fifth in save percentage. The Vulcans were unbeaten in five post-season games in 2010; however, they were eliminated in both the PSAC Championship and Atlantic Regional Championship via shootout. As a senior, Jackson became the only player in program history to be honored as a United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-American and Academic All-American. She finished sixth in the nation in GAA, as the Vulcans set the school record with 20 victories and finished unbeaten in conference play for the only time in school history. Cal earned the PSAC Championship for the first time and she later yielded a single goal in three games in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a shutout victory in the Atlantic Regional Championship. The Vulcans were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country twice during the 2011 campaign before finishing the year No. 6 in the USC Top 25 poll. Jackson closed her career as the school’s all-time leader with a 0.51 GAA, 55 victories and 34 shutouts, plus sits fifth with 225 career saves, while playing only three seasons with the program.
Jackson earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2011 and later completed her master’s degree in business administration the following year.
updated 4/22/23
