Heather Gilchrist

College career

Gilchrist was an immediate starter for the Florida State Seminoles as a freshman in 2022, earning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) all-freshman honors. She helped the Seminoles reach the NCAA tournament semifinals, where she conceded a penalty in the 3–2 loss to North Carolina. She then contributed to Florida State's undefeated season and fourth national title in her sophomore year in 2023. She played every minute in the NCAA tournament, allowing just one goal in six games. She earned an assist on the opening goal in the 2–0 semifinal win over Clemson, then won 5–1 against Stanford in the final.

Despite missing about a month while at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Gilchrist earned third-team All-ACC and fourth-team All-American honors as a junior in 2024. She helped the Seminoles win their fifth consecutive ACC tournament title but lost to Vanderbilt on penalties in the NCAA tournament second round, though she made hers. After graduating early, she returned for a fourth season and led the Seminoles to their fifth national title as a graduate student in 2025. She scored a career-high four goals including the lone goal against Lipscomb in the NCAA tournament second round. She was involved in penalty scares in both the 1–0 semifinal win against TCU and the 1–0 win over Stanford in the final, but neither possible foul was awarded on review. She was named third-team All-ACC and third-team All-American and included in the NCAA all-tournament team. She sustained a knee injury during preseason and missed the first several months of the season. She made her professional debut on August 9, 2026, as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw with the Chicago Stars. The following week, she started against the Utah Royals and scored her first professional goal, heading after a corner kick; the match ended 3–2 to the Royals.

International career

Gilchrist was called into training camp with the United States youth national team with the combined under-18/under-19 squad and the under-20 team in 2023. She appeared for the under-20 team throughout 2024 and was selected to the roster for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She started five of seven games at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, helping the United States finish in third place, its best result since 2012. She was called up by Emma Hayes into Futures Camp, practicing alongside the senior national team, in January 2025.

Honors and awards

Florida State Seminoles NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament: 2023, 2025 ACC women's soccer tournament: 2022, 2023, 2024

Individual Third-team All-American: 2025 Fourth-team All-American: 2024 Third-team All-ACC: 2024, 2025 ACC all-freshman team: 2022 NCAA tournament all-tournament team: 2025