Notables
Head coach Matt Smith
Johns Hopkins athletic director Tom Calder announced the retirement of Matt Smith, head men's soccer coach at the school. Smith, who served in the position for 15 seasons (1993-2007), cited personal reasons.
Hopkins earned its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance this past season on the way to an 18-4-0 record, one win shy of the program record. Johns Hopkins lost to North Carolina Wesleyan in the second round of the tournament, 2-0.
The Blue Jays had a 240-45-19 (.821) record in Smith's 15 seasons at Johns Hopkins. In that period, the Blue Jays captured seven Centennial Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament nine times. Johns Hopkins finished as the national runner-up in 1994 and advanced to the national quarterfinals in 1998 and 2006.
A national search for Smith's replacement will begin immediately.
Hopkins earned its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance this past season on the way to an 18-4-0 record, one win shy of the program record. Johns Hopkins lost to North Carolina Wesleyan in the second round of the tournament, 2-0.
A national search for Smith's replacement will begin immediately.
Permalink | Jun 07, 2008
Stevens' Jenn Pontier earned 10 victories as a freshman last season and had an 0.31 goals-against average.
Stevens, which has the longest active home unbeaten streak in Division III women's soccer, will face two of last year's final four teams in 2008.
The Ducks are coming off a 15-4-2 showing in 2007 in which they placed second in the Empire 8 during the regular season before winning their first-ever Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Metro Championship.
Following exhibition matches against New Jersey Tech on Aug. 21 and New York University on Aug. 26, Stevens will officially kick off the 2008 campaign when it takes on Moravian on August 30 as part of the Swat Kick Classic at Swarthmore. Last year, the Greyhounds went 15-6-1 and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship. This will be the first-ever meeting between Stevens and Moravian.
On Aug. 31, the Ducks will continue the Swat Kick Classic with their second of five games this year against a 2007 NCAA Tournament team when they face Farmingdale State at 3 p.m.
On Sept. 6-7, the Ducks will host four games as part of the Fifth Annual Stevens Engineering Cup, which coincides with the program's Parent's Weekend. This year's field is arguably the strongest ever and will include Middlebury, Ursinus, and NYU. On Saturday, Stevens will play Middlebury at noon then NYU and Ursinus meet up at approximately 2:30 p.m. The game against Middlebury will be the Ducks' first against a NESCAC school.
The Engineering Cup will wrap up on Sunday when Middlebury and NYU play at noon and Stevens hosts Ursinus 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. The Bears were the Centennial Conference runners-up in 2007.
The following Saturday, Sept. 13, Stevens will take on Vassar in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. That game will be Alumnae Night for the Ducks. After traveling to Montclair State on September 17, Stevens will open Empire 8 play at home against St. John Fisher on September 20 at 3 p.m. On September 27, defending Empire 8 champion Ithaca will visit Hoboken for an important match-up. The Bombers are coming off a season in which they reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Following games against Drew and Elmira, Stevens will travel to Ewing, N.J., to take on New Jersey on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Last year, the Lions advanced to the national semifinals. Then, the Ducks will begin a string of three conference games in a row during which they play Alfred, Nazareth and Rochester Tech. After facing Rutgers-Camden on Oct. 22, Stevens will host conference foe Utica College on Oct. 25 and 2007 national semifinalist Western Connecticut State on Oct. 29.
The Ducks will close out the regular-season campaign at Hartwick on Nov. 1. This season, the Empire 8 Tournament will be held in a Saturday-Sunday format where the top seed hosts all four teams. The games will take place Nov. 8-9. The winner of the Empire 8 Championship receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Ducks are coming off a 15-4-2 showing in 2007 in which they placed second in the Empire 8 during the regular season before winning their first-ever Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Metro Championship.
Following exhibition matches against New Jersey Tech on Aug. 21 and New York University on Aug. 26, Stevens will officially kick off the 2008 campaign when it takes on Moravian on August 30 as part of the Swat Kick Classic at Swarthmore. Last year, the Greyhounds went 15-6-1 and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship. This will be the first-ever meeting between Stevens and Moravian.
On Sept. 6-7, the Ducks will host four games as part of the Fifth Annual Stevens Engineering Cup, which coincides with the program's Parent's Weekend. This year's field is arguably the strongest ever and will include Middlebury, Ursinus, and NYU. On Saturday, Stevens will play Middlebury at noon then NYU and Ursinus meet up at approximately 2:30 p.m. The game against Middlebury will be the Ducks' first against a NESCAC school.
The Engineering Cup will wrap up on Sunday when Middlebury and NYU play at noon and Stevens hosts Ursinus 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. The Bears were the Centennial Conference runners-up in 2007.
The following Saturday, Sept. 13, Stevens will take on Vassar in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. That game will be Alumnae Night for the Ducks. After traveling to Montclair State on September 17, Stevens will open Empire 8 play at home against St. John Fisher on September 20 at 3 p.m. On September 27, defending Empire 8 champion Ithaca will visit Hoboken for an important match-up. The Bombers are coming off a season in which they reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Following games against Drew and Elmira, Stevens will travel to Ewing, N.J., to take on New Jersey on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Last year, the Lions advanced to the national semifinals. Then, the Ducks will begin a string of three conference games in a row during which they play Alfred, Nazareth and Rochester Tech. After facing Rutgers-Camden on Oct. 22, Stevens will host conference foe Utica College on Oct. 25 and 2007 national semifinalist Western Connecticut State on Oct. 29.
The Ducks will close out the regular-season campaign at Hartwick on Nov. 1. This season, the Empire 8 Tournament will be held in a Saturday-Sunday format where the top seed hosts all four teams. The games will take place Nov. 8-9. The winner of the Empire 8 Championship receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Permalink | May 19, 2008
Spooner
Ian Spooner has been named the new head women's soccer coach at Greensboro, Pride athletics director Kim Strable announced.
Spooner has been employed by the Greensboro Soccer Association since 2006 as its director of player development/assistant director of coaching.
A native of Oxford, England Spooner played intercollegiate soccer at Division I Radford where he was a four-time first team all-conference player. He was also named Big South Conference MVP in his final two seasons. After graduation, he played professionally for six years in the United Soccer League.
Spooner was selected as the first-ever head women's soccer coach at NCAA Division III Bridgewater (Va.) and in two seasons of competition recorded an impressive 21-11-1, a 64% winning percentage. He also simultaneously coached the Bridgewater men's soccer team for two years before returning to his alma mater in 2001 to become the first assistant for the Highlander women's soccer program. He became the technical director for the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club in 2004, and was the state head coach for the Olympic Development Program.
With more than 15 years of coaching experience, Spooner holds the NSCAA premier diploma and the USSF B license, and has been invited to join the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association coaching education staff as an instructor for state level coaching education courses.
"Ian has the right blend of experience as a coach and former player coupled with a strong interest in returning to the collegiate environment," said Strable. "We are confident he will be a popular addition to our staff and campus community."
Spooner replaces Franco Bari who returned to coach at his alma mater, St. Lawrence. GC is expected to return 13 letter-winners from a team that set a program record with 14 wins.
Spooner has been employed by the Greensboro Soccer Association since 2006 as its director of player development/assistant director of coaching.
A native of Oxford, England Spooner played intercollegiate soccer at Division I Radford where he was a four-time first team all-conference player. He was also named Big South Conference MVP in his final two seasons. After graduation, he played professionally for six years in the United Soccer League.
Spooner was selected as the first-ever head women's soccer coach at NCAA Division III Bridgewater (Va.) and in two seasons of competition recorded an impressive 21-11-1, a 64% winning percentage. He also simultaneously coached the Bridgewater men's soccer team for two years before returning to his alma mater in 2001 to become the first assistant for the Highlander women's soccer program. He became the technical director for the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club in 2004, and was the state head coach for the Olympic Development Program.
With more than 15 years of coaching experience, Spooner holds the NSCAA premier diploma and the USSF B license, and has been invited to join the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association coaching education staff as an instructor for state level coaching education courses.
"Ian has the right blend of experience as a coach and former player coupled with a strong interest in returning to the collegiate environment," said Strable. "We are confident he will be a popular addition to our staff and campus community."
Spooner replaces Franco Bari who returned to coach at his alma mater, St. Lawrence. GC is expected to return 13 letter-winners from a team that set a program record with 14 wins.
Permalink | May 07, 2008
PnAC settles on a new name
Commissioner Amy Frankenstein-Friedman announced that the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PnAC) will be changing its name to the Colonial States Athletic Conference effective July 1, 2008.
With the new name comes a massive rebranding effort that aims to change the identity of the conference.
"This is an exciting time for the conference," Frankenstein-Friedman said. "The new name recognizes that we have member schools that are not in Pennsylvania. And, after years of being confused with other conferences that are similarly named, we will be able to create a new identity and really stand out from the crowd."
The conference was the second PAC in Division III, following the Presidents' Athletic Conference, which has a longer history.
The PnAC's Marketing and Re-branding Committee, composed of administrators and student-athletes from member institutions, conducted two surveys to obtain feedback on what features were important in a conference name. More than 1,200 visitors looked at the surveys, and more than 800 completed them.
With feedback from the first survey coming from other conference commissioners, student-athletes, parents, alumni, current students, faculty and staff, the committee was able to create a list of 10 possible names. That list was the basis of the second survey, in which respondents ranked the names in order of preference.
"We learned from the surveys that it was important for the new name to be representative of not only our member institutions, but also our location," said the commissioner. "It was also important that the historical significance of the area be represented somehow. I think we've accomplished that."
The top four names were presented to the conference athletic directors to be ranked, and then to the board of directors for a final vote. With the name cleared, the conference is moving forward with logo development. As the conference moves forward, more information will be made available.
As of July 1, the member institutions of the Colonial States Athletic Conference will be: Baptist Bible, Cabrini, Cedar Crest, Centenary, Notre Dame (Md.), Gwynedd-Mercy, Keystone, Immaculata, Marywood, Neumann, Rosemont and Philadelphia Bible. Shenandoah will continue as an associate member in men's lacrosse.
With the new name comes a massive rebranding effort that aims to change the identity of the conference.
"This is an exciting time for the conference," Frankenstein-Friedman said. "The new name recognizes that we have member schools that are not in Pennsylvania. And, after years of being confused with other conferences that are similarly named, we will be able to create a new identity and really stand out from the crowd."
The conference was the second PAC in Division III, following the Presidents' Athletic Conference, which has a longer history.
The PnAC's Marketing and Re-branding Committee, composed of administrators and student-athletes from member institutions, conducted two surveys to obtain feedback on what features were important in a conference name. More than 1,200 visitors looked at the surveys, and more than 800 completed them.
With feedback from the first survey coming from other conference commissioners, student-athletes, parents, alumni, current students, faculty and staff, the committee was able to create a list of 10 possible names. That list was the basis of the second survey, in which respondents ranked the names in order of preference.
"We learned from the surveys that it was important for the new name to be representative of not only our member institutions, but also our location," said the commissioner. "It was also important that the historical significance of the area be represented somehow. I think we've accomplished that."
The top four names were presented to the conference athletic directors to be ranked, and then to the board of directors for a final vote. With the name cleared, the conference is moving forward with logo development. As the conference moves forward, more information will be made available.
As of July 1, the member institutions of the Colonial States Athletic Conference will be: Baptist Bible, Cabrini, Cedar Crest, Centenary, Notre Dame (Md.), Gwynedd-Mercy, Keystone, Immaculata, Marywood, Neumann, Rosemont and Philadelphia Bible. Shenandoah will continue as an associate member in men's lacrosse.
Permalink | May 03, 2008
St. Mary's (Minn.) assistant promoted
Zimmerman
And it made him hungry for more.
So, when Dembiec — who added the women's team to his workload when Tony Guinn resigned right before the start of the 2007 season — stepped down to focus all his attention on the Cardinal men's team, Zimmerman leaped at the opportunity, and Thursday, was named the Cardinals new head women's coach.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to coach the SMU women's soccer program," said Zimmerman. "I look forward to building off a solid foundation that has already been established."
"We are pleased to have coach Zimmerman join our staff," said SMU athletic director Nikki Fennern. "His enthusiasm for soccer and his knowledge of our team, our university, and our conference will help make the transition in coaches seamless.
"I've been fortunate enough to learn from some quality coaches at all levels of soccer — and they have helped prepare me to be successful at this level."
Zimmerman, who has worked in the Coulee Region United Soccer Association since 2000 — while also serving five years as an assistant coach for the Viterbo men's soccer program, as well as the V-Hawks' interim head coach for the 2004 season — inherits an SMU women's team that went 10-7-1 a year ago, including a 4-6-1 record in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Zimmerman expects to improve on the MIAC record immediately.
"I believe our proram has a bight, bright future — highlighted by a new outdoor complex and a talented, eager group of returning players and new recruits," Zimmerman said. "Chemistry and commitment will be vital to our success."
Permalink | Apr 24, 2008
Alamdari
Adrian athletic director Mike Duffy has announced the hiring of Ali Alamdari as head women's soccer coach. Alamdari replaces Jenny Jorgensen who accepted a job as in the athletic department at Miami (Ohio).
Jorgensen was 10-25-2 in two seasons with the Bulldogs.
"We were very pleased with the pool of candidates as we searched for a replacement to lead our women's soccer program," said Duffy. "After everything was examined, Ali was the person who we believe will take our program to the next level. He has a very successful background both in soccer and as a professional in the business world. He is a bright guy with a passion for life."
Alamdari most recently had been coaching in the collegiate ranks at Albion. He served as the assistant coach for the Briton women's soccer program and helped the team to a 25-7-6 record in the past two seasons. The team made a turnaround since his arrival going 19-17-2 in the previous two campaigns. Albion captured the 2007 MIAA Tournament and Alamdari mentored all goalkeepers including MIAA Player of the Year Caitlin Bowman.
"I was very excited to see that athletics clearly is important at Adrian College," commented Alamdari. "The facilities show an athletic department that is growing and committed to winning. The foundation is in place to build upon in the coming years. I am very glad that assistant coach Stephanie Ricketts is going to be alongside me as she will make my transition a smooth one."
Alamdari has continued to coach in the prep scene as the head coach of Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., during the past three spring seasons. He also turned a struggling program into a winning one as Loy Norrix posted its first winning record in more than a decade in 2006. The team had a record of 18-17-2 over the past two years after going 8-25-1 in the two years before his arrival.
Alamdari holds a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan (2001) in business administration with an emphasis in advertising and promotion. He also has a master's degree from Western Michigan in performance-driven leadership which was completed in 2004.
Alamdari will begin his duties beginning July 1.
Jorgensen was 10-25-2 in two seasons with the Bulldogs.
"We were very pleased with the pool of candidates as we searched for a replacement to lead our women's soccer program," said Duffy. "After everything was examined, Ali was the person who we believe will take our program to the next level. He has a very successful background both in soccer and as a professional in the business world. He is a bright guy with a passion for life."
Alamdari most recently had been coaching in the collegiate ranks at Albion. He served as the assistant coach for the Briton women's soccer program and helped the team to a 25-7-6 record in the past two seasons. The team made a turnaround since his arrival going 19-17-2 in the previous two campaigns. Albion captured the 2007 MIAA Tournament and Alamdari mentored all goalkeepers including MIAA Player of the Year Caitlin Bowman.
"I was very excited to see that athletics clearly is important at Adrian College," commented Alamdari. "The facilities show an athletic department that is growing and committed to winning. The foundation is in place to build upon in the coming years. I am very glad that assistant coach Stephanie Ricketts is going to be alongside me as she will make my transition a smooth one."
Alamdari has continued to coach in the prep scene as the head coach of Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., during the past three spring seasons. He also turned a struggling program into a winning one as Loy Norrix posted its first winning record in more than a decade in 2006. The team had a record of 18-17-2 over the past two years after going 8-25-1 in the two years before his arrival.
Alamdari holds a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan (2001) in business administration with an emphasis in advertising and promotion. He also has a master's degree from Western Michigan in performance-driven leadership which was completed in 2004.
Alamdari will begin his duties beginning July 1.
Permalink | Apr 17, 2008
Crabbe
St. Mary's (Ind.) has hired Ryan Crabbe as the head coach of the Belles soccer program. Crabbe is the first full-time soccer coach at Saint Mary's.
Crabbe takes over the program from Caryn MacKenzie who served as the head coach the past four seasons, compiling a 33-26-9 record.
"We are very excited to hire Ryan as our full-time soccer coach," athletics director Lynn Kachmarik said. "His knowledge, energy and passion for soccer are great characteristics that will help Ryan as he looks to build our program into a competitive NCAA Division III team."
Crabbe had been an assistant coach at Columbus State since 2005. During his three years with the Cougars he helped guide them to consecutive Peach Belt tournament championships in 2006 and 2007. In addition to their postseason success, Columbus State won the league's regular season title during all three seasons he served on coach Jay Entlich's staff.
Columbus State qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament in 2006 and 2007. They earned a berth into the Elite 8 in 2007 and ended the season ranked fifth in the country. During his tenure the Cougars went a combined 53-14-3 as he coached nine different players who earned All Conference honors.
"I am eager and excited to take over the soccer program at Saint Mary's College and hope that I can have an impact on the success of our student-athletes both academically and athletically," Crabbe said. "Through diligent recruiting and promoting the excellent opportunities which Saint Mary's can offer a young student-athlete, I plan to build the program into a consistent contender in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and one that is competitive at the national level."
Crabbe earned his bachelor's degree at Georgia State in film and video where he graduated magna cum laude in 2004. He earned his masters from Columbus State in 2007. He was a four-year collegiate soccer player at Augusta State from 1993-1996.
The Belles are slated to return 16 players next season after finishing in fifth place in the MIAA last season, going 7-5-5 overall.
Crabbe takes over the program from Caryn MacKenzie who served as the head coach the past four seasons, compiling a 33-26-9 record.
"We are very excited to hire Ryan as our full-time soccer coach," athletics director Lynn Kachmarik said. "His knowledge, energy and passion for soccer are great characteristics that will help Ryan as he looks to build our program into a competitive NCAA Division III team."
Crabbe had been an assistant coach at Columbus State since 2005. During his three years with the Cougars he helped guide them to consecutive Peach Belt tournament championships in 2006 and 2007. In addition to their postseason success, Columbus State won the league's regular season title during all three seasons he served on coach Jay Entlich's staff.
Columbus State qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament in 2006 and 2007. They earned a berth into the Elite 8 in 2007 and ended the season ranked fifth in the country. During his tenure the Cougars went a combined 53-14-3 as he coached nine different players who earned All Conference honors.
"I am eager and excited to take over the soccer program at Saint Mary's College and hope that I can have an impact on the success of our student-athletes both academically and athletically," Crabbe said. "Through diligent recruiting and promoting the excellent opportunities which Saint Mary's can offer a young student-athlete, I plan to build the program into a consistent contender in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and one that is competitive at the national level."
Crabbe earned his bachelor's degree at Georgia State in film and video where he graduated magna cum laude in 2004. He earned his masters from Columbus State in 2007. He was a four-year collegiate soccer player at Augusta State from 1993-1996.
The Belles are slated to return 16 players next season after finishing in fifth place in the MIAA last season, going 7-5-5 overall.
Permalink | Apr 05, 2008
Alumnus named coach at Etown
Elizabethtown has named Bob Scotten as its head women's soccer coach, director of athletics Nancy Latimore has announced.
Scotten, a 1978 Elizabethtown graduate, succeeds Barry Dohner, who stepped down in January after compiling a 189-85-19 record in 14 seasons as head coach of the Blue Jays.
"We are fortunate to have an individual with Coach Scotten's experience and abilities assume leadership for our women's soccer program," said Latimore. "He has been highly successful throughout his coaching career, and, no doubt, will be extremely effective in leading our Blue Jay program as well."
Since 2001, Scotten has been the head girls soccer coach at Conestoga Valley High School, leading the Buckskins to a 101-32-11 record, six section championships and the 2007 Lancaster-Lebanon League title. He was honored as L-L Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
Previously, Scotten served as head boys' soccer coach at Pequea Valley from 1979 to 1982 and was an assistant coach at both Garden Spot and Conestoga Valley. He has also coached youth soccer for the Lanco United U-16 and U-17 girls teams.
A 1978 graduate of Elizabethtown with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, Scotten was an All-MAC selection in 1976 when he scored a team-high 19 goals to help the Blue Jays reach the NCAA Division III final four.
After graduation, Scotten played for the Phoenix Sports Club team in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Stoners semipro team before entering the coaching ranks.
Scotten, a 1978 Elizabethtown graduate, succeeds Barry Dohner, who stepped down in January after compiling a 189-85-19 record in 14 seasons as head coach of the Blue Jays.
"We are fortunate to have an individual with Coach Scotten's experience and abilities assume leadership for our women's soccer program," said Latimore. "He has been highly successful throughout his coaching career, and, no doubt, will be extremely effective in leading our Blue Jay program as well."
Since 2001, Scotten has been the head girls soccer coach at Conestoga Valley High School, leading the Buckskins to a 101-32-11 record, six section championships and the 2007 Lancaster-Lebanon League title. He was honored as L-L Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
Previously, Scotten served as head boys' soccer coach at Pequea Valley from 1979 to 1982 and was an assistant coach at both Garden Spot and Conestoga Valley. He has also coached youth soccer for the Lanco United U-16 and U-17 girls teams.
A 1978 graduate of Elizabethtown with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, Scotten was an All-MAC selection in 1976 when he scored a team-high 19 goals to help the Blue Jays reach the NCAA Division III final four.
After graduation, Scotten played for the Phoenix Sports Club team in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Stoners semipro team before entering the coaching ranks.
Permalink | Apr 02, 2008
Old Dominion assistant takes CNU job
Christopher Newport athletic director C.J. Woollum announced the hiring of Ruth Keegan as the school's women's soccer coach.
"We are thrilled to have Ruth join our staff," Woollum said. "Her vast experience and knowledge of the game assures us that our women's soccer program will remain among the elite in Division III."
Keegan takes over the CNU program following the departure of Kwame Llloyd, who recently became head coach at Vermont. Lloyd led CNU to an overall record of 91-40-8 over the last seven seasons. His team reached the NCAA Tournament three times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2004 when the Captains finished 16-4-3.
Keegan's coaching experience has come at several levels. She served as an assistant at Old Dominion from 1996-2006, and was the head coach of the soccer squad at Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., last season.
"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Christopher Newport women's soccer program," Keegan said. "I've always wanted to be a head coach at the collegiate level, and I look forward to continuing the great tradition of the program."
Keegan, a native of Dublin, graduated from Methodist in 1995, and was an All-American and Dixie Conference Player of the Year while with the Monarchs. Her playing experience also includes five years with the Ireland national team.
"From what I've seen, we've got a good core group," Keegan continued. "The players have worked hard in the offseason and we're ready to begin our official spring workouts on Monday."
"We are thrilled to have Ruth join our staff," Woollum said. "Her vast experience and knowledge of the game assures us that our women's soccer program will remain among the elite in Division III."
Keegan takes over the CNU program following the departure of Kwame Llloyd, who recently became head coach at Vermont. Lloyd led CNU to an overall record of 91-40-8 over the last seven seasons. His team reached the NCAA Tournament three times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2004 when the Captains finished 16-4-3.
Keegan's coaching experience has come at several levels. She served as an assistant at Old Dominion from 1996-2006, and was the head coach of the soccer squad at Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., last season.
"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Christopher Newport women's soccer program," Keegan said. "I've always wanted to be a head coach at the collegiate level, and I look forward to continuing the great tradition of the program."
Keegan, a native of Dublin, graduated from Methodist in 1995, and was an All-American and Dixie Conference Player of the Year while with the Monarchs. Her playing experience also includes five years with the Ireland national team.
"From what I've seen, we've got a good core group," Keegan continued. "The players have worked hard in the offseason and we're ready to begin our official spring workouts on Monday."
Permalink | Apr 01, 2008
CUW assistant takes CUC top job
Concordia (Ill.) announced the appointment of Micah Middendorf as head coach for the men's soccer team, effective April 1. Middendorf takes over for Adam Nirenberg, who coached the Cougars to a 3-14-1 record in 2007.
Middendorf played four years with the men's team at sister school Concordia (Wis.) and served as a graduate assistant for the Falcons' men's and women's soccer teams last season. The Falcons' women's team was coached by Middendorf's older brother Ryan, thus giving Micah a unique perspective about coaching. "I was very excited to coach under Ryan and learn from him this past year," states Middendorf, "but at the same time, I see this situation at Concordia Chicago as a great opportunity for me, a big step forward, and I am eager to get started."
As a player, Middendorf was a member of the Lake Michigan Conference All-Freshmen team in 2001 and a three-time winner (2002-04) of the school's Falcon Award, given to the player that "best represents the team on and off the field." A team captain for the Falcons, he started 100 consecutive games at defender in his four years with one goal and six assists and, according to coach Tom Saleska, was the team's most important defender that would routinely draw the assignment of marking the opponent's top scorer.
Middendorf's view of the Cougar men's program is an upbeat one, despite the team's struggles following a 2005 Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference championship. "The team has been very competitive, and they have been in most of the games and played close to their opponents. They are not that far away from being a winning program; there is a good base of talent already in place, and I am looking forward to adding to that with talented new players and creating a program that can compete annually for the Northern Athletics Conference title."
Middendorf earned his degree in exercise physiology from Concordia (Wis.) in 2005.
Middendorf played four years with the men's team at sister school Concordia (Wis.) and served as a graduate assistant for the Falcons' men's and women's soccer teams last season. The Falcons' women's team was coached by Middendorf's older brother Ryan, thus giving Micah a unique perspective about coaching. "I was very excited to coach under Ryan and learn from him this past year," states Middendorf, "but at the same time, I see this situation at Concordia Chicago as a great opportunity for me, a big step forward, and I am eager to get started."
As a player, Middendorf was a member of the Lake Michigan Conference All-Freshmen team in 2001 and a three-time winner (2002-04) of the school's Falcon Award, given to the player that "best represents the team on and off the field." A team captain for the Falcons, he started 100 consecutive games at defender in his four years with one goal and six assists and, according to coach Tom Saleska, was the team's most important defender that would routinely draw the assignment of marking the opponent's top scorer.
Middendorf's view of the Cougar men's program is an upbeat one, despite the team's struggles following a 2005 Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference championship. "The team has been very competitive, and they have been in most of the games and played close to their opponents. They are not that far away from being a winning program; there is a good base of talent already in place, and I am looking forward to adding to that with talented new players and creating a program that can compete annually for the Northern Athletics Conference title."
Middendorf earned his degree in exercise physiology from Concordia (Wis.) in 2005.
Permalink | Mar 29, 2008