[6] She most recently coached the Army Black Knights women's soccer team for five seasons until 2017.

[8] She played for the McLean Highlanders in high school, where she was selected in the all-metropolitan team.

She also participated in basketball and field hockey at McLean, and was chosen as the team's most valuable player in both sports.

[16][17] In 2016, the NSCAA announced that they would honor McDermott with the Women's Soccer Award of Excellence.

[18] McDermott graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.