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Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA 23529
Virginia Northeast
Public Very Large Developing team

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Angie Hind

Angie Hind, a former assistant national coach for the Scottish Football Association and former head women’s soccer coach at Dartmouth College from 2005-2010, completed her ninth year as head coach at Old Dominion University in 2022.


The 2022 season produced a historic end to the Monarchs first year back in Sun Belt Conference as they were crowned Tournament champions and secured, for the second year running, the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With a 9-9-3 record, which saw a slow start to the campaign they found form, and the back of the net, at the right time to make history as Back-to-Back champions across two different conferences.


Carla Morich and Ece Turkoglu were named All-Sun Belt Conference, while they were joined by Riley Kennett, Andrea Balcazar Algarin and Anna Tørsløv in earning All-Tournament honors. Outside of the league, Morich, Turkoglu and Kennett earned All-Region honors. Morich, Kennett, Turkoglu, Anessa Arndt and Megan Watts were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Morich earned Third Team Scholar All-American honors by the United Soccer Coaches Association.

During her eighth season in 2021, Hind led ODU to a 13-5-1 overall record, going 6-1-1 in conference play. For her coaching efforts, Hind was named Conference USA Coach of the Year after winning the regular season. Following the regular season, Hind pushed her team to win the Conference USA Tournament for the first time in school history and took them to the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.


The 2021 season brought massive success as Emily Roberts was named Defensive Player of the Year, All-Academic First Team, Conference USA Tournament Defensive MVP, and All-Region First Team. Kasey Perry also earned First Team Honors for her work this season as well as recognition at the C-USA Tournament. Ece Turkoglu joined Perry in those honors while being named to the All-Region Second Team. Carla Morich was named to the C-USA Second Team, All-Region Second Team and was named the Conference USA Tournament Offensive MVP. Gry Boe Thrysøe joined Morich on the C-USA Second Team as well as earning All-Freshman Team honors. Off of the field, Megan Watts was named to the C-USA All-Academic Second Team while Ryan Parncutt received the C-USA Spirit of Service Award.


In 2020, Coach Hind led the Monarchs to another Conference USA Tournament appearance after compiling a 3-2-1 record in league play, while going unbeaten in four of their last five matches to close out the season. Ece Turkoglu, Emily Roberts and Ryan Parncutt earned All-Conference USA accolades. Turkoglu was named to the All-Conference USA First Team, Roberts made the All C-USA Second Team, while Parncutt garnered All-Freshman Team honors. Turkoglu and Roberts were also named to the league's All-Academic Second Team.


Academically in 2020, 26 Monarchs were named to the C-USA Honor Roll, 19 were Dean’s List honorees, 10 earned C-USA Academic Medals and eight compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA.


After going undefeated in non-conference play in 2019, the Monarchs ended the regular season league play unbeaten in six of their last seven matches, finishing the year with a 10-4-4 record.


In 2019, Hind had 24 players with 3.0 or higher GPA, 18 student-athletes named to the Dean's List, while 10 earned C-USA Commissioner's Medals (3.75 cum. GPA or higher). Additionally, four women's soccer players compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA. Ece Turkoglu was named the Conference USA Co-Freshman of the Year, as well as was named to the All-League Third Team and All-Freshman squad, while ODU women's soccer team co-captains Emily Roberts and Talia Tapper garnered All-Conference Second Team accolades.


Over the past three seasons at Old Dominion, Hind has led the Monarchs to a 27-16-12 overall record.


The 2018 season, Hind’s fifth at ODU, brought more success to the program, as she led the Monarchs to their fourth consecutive C-USA Tournament appearance after going 5-3-2 in league to compliment an 8-7-4 overall record against a challenging schedule. The Monarchs ended the regular season on a seven-match unbeaten streak.


ODU earned five Conference USA Player of the Week nods (the most ever in program history) and three All-Conference USA honorees in 2018. Sophomore Emily Roberts earned Second Team All-Conference honors, while senior Iris Achterhof was awarded Second Team All-Conference and All-South Region honors. Sophomore Carla Morich was recognized on the Third Team.


Academically, the team placed 12 players on the Dean’s List (3.4 GPA or higher) with two perfect 4.0s. Iris Achterhof was also recognized as an NCAA Academic All-American (the first for the program since 2006), earned Co-SIDA Academic All-District and was placed on the C-USA All-Academic First Team. Senior Deirdre Bradley received the C-USA Spirit of Service Award.


2017 marked the best season for the program since 2008 and best ever in Conference USA. Hind’s Monarchs finished with a 9-5-4 overall record and went 6-2-2 in league play.


Jackie Stroud was named the Tom Scott Award Winner, the Norfolk Sports Club announced at their luncheon on Monday. The Tom Scott Award is given to ODU's top senior student-athlete as voted on by the Norfolk Sports Club. Stroud is the first women’s soccer player to ever win the award. Stroud was also earned the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors, to go along with the All-Conference USA First Team, All-League Academic Team and First Team All-State accolades.


19 players made the Fall Dean’s List (3.4 GPA) in 2017, while three student-athletes turned in perfect 4.0 GPAs. The program’s fall term team GPA of 3.6 was recognized as the highest on campus.


In April of 2016, the women's soccer team earned perfect multi-year scores (1000) in the NCAA's latest release of Division I Academic Progress Rate results for the second consecutive year, ranking them among the top 10 percent in their respective sports.


In 2015, Hind doubled the win total from the previous year for ODU, as Old Dominion earned eight wins, which is the most for the program in a season since 2008. In the process, ODU advanced to its first ever Conference USA Tournament, where the No. 6 seeded Lady Soccer Monarchs stunned No. 3 seeded Florida Atlantic in the Quarterfinals and advanced to the C-USA Semifinals.


Iris Achterhof was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, while also garnering All-Conference Second Team, All-Tournament Team and All-Freshman Team honors. Achterhof was also named the Virginia State Rookie of the Year, while earning a spot on the All-State Second Team.


Kathryn Hill was named to the All C-USA Third Team and also landed a spot on All-Conference USA Academic Team. Teammate Grace Haverly earned All-Tournament Team accolades, as well as was named Old Dominion’s sole student-athlete recipient of the C-USA Fall Spirit of Service Award in 2015.


For the 2015 season, an astonishing 19 women’s soccer student-athletes were named to the Conference USA Honor Roll for possessing 3.0 or higher GPA’s. A whopping six Lady Soccer Monarchs earned C-USA Commissioner’s Medals for compiling GPA’s higher than a 3.75.


In her first season (2014) at the helm in Norfolk, Hind turned around the women’s soccer program after the team obtained six points the previous year (2013). In 2014, the team racked up a total of 17 points, with 15 of their 18 matches decided by one goal or less. Old Dominion also had a total of eight games go into overtime.


Old Dominion’s Jessie Klamut and Natalie Johnson were named to the 2014 All-Conference USA Third Team, while Madison Hogan earned C-USA All-Freshman Team honors. Klamut also earned Conference USA All-Academic Second Team honors, while garnering the C-USA Spirit of Service Award for the fall.


Hind had 10 of her players honored for being named to the Dean’s List (3.4 or higher GPA), while three of those players had perfect 4.0 GPA. The ODU women’s soccer team led all 18 teams at Old Dominion with the highest team GPA, consisting of a 3.41.


After the 2014 season, Hind and her Soccer Monarchs were recognized among the top 10 percent of all athletic programs achieving superior Academic Progress Rate marks by the NCAA.


Hind served as the Head Women’s Coach and Youth Academy Manager of Rangers F.C., a prestigious football club in Glasgow, Scotland in season 2013, compiling a 17-9-4 record, while also having 15 players throughout the club selected to youth and senior national teams.


Before taking over the helm at Rangers, Hind spent two seasons as the assistant national coach for the Scottish Football Association. In those two years, Hind aided Scotland to a 15-10-6 record, as well as qualifying for the Euro Championship Playoffs.


From Feb. 2005 to Dec. 2010, Hind was the head coach of Dartmouth College’s women’s soccer program, where she impressively led the Big Green to a 54-38-8 overall record, an appearance in the 2005 NCAA Tournament and three seasons as conference runner-up. Under Hind’s direction, Dartmouth had a total of 28 players selected for All-Ivy League teams, seven All New England selections and four players voted onto the NSCAA All-Region team.


“Coach Hind is well connected within the United States and internationally with regard to recruiting. Given her success at Dartmouth, we also feel very confident that Coach Hind will continue to maintain the high level of academic performance demonstrated each year by our women’s soccer student athletes. I am confident our women’s soccer program will thrive under the direction of Coach Angie Hind,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig.


Before taking over head coaching duties for the Big Green, Hind spent the prior two seasons as an assistant coach at Dartmouth. In her two seasons as an assistant, Hind helped guide the team to a 16-12-6 mark, while helping the Big Green to an Ivy League championship, and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003.


A native of Kilmarnock, Scotland, Hind arrived to Dartmouth after a five-year stint with the Scottish Football Association (SFA). As a player, Hind represented the Scottish women's national team for three years between 1999-2002 and competed for 17 years at the junior and senior levels with F.C. Kilmarnock. She captained F.C. Kilmarnock to five Scottish League and Cup medals between 2001-03, winning every major honor in the Scottish game.


After retiring as a player from the national squad, Hind was invited to assist the national coaching staff with the Senior 'A' and youth squads, having previously served as the U-16 national coach from 1997-98.


Hind was also appointed head coach for Scotland's largest girl's development squad program. She coordinated, coached and selected regional squads at U-17, U-15, and U-13 age groups, guiding 18 players who were selected to Scottish national teams at youth and senior levels.


She holds her UEFA 'A' license and the Youth and Children's license and previously served as a staff tutor and coach educator for the Scottish Football Association. A 1998 graduate of Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Hind received her bachelor's degree with commendation in sport coaching and fitness.

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Michelle Barr

Michelle Barr serves as the Associate Head Coach for ODU Women’s Soccer and was promoted to this role in 2017 following three previous years as assistant coach. On her appointment Head Coach Angie Hind said “This promotion to Associate Head Coach reflects the experience and commitment level Michelle brings every single day and recognizes the positive impact her expertise and dedication has had on this program. She has a lot of experience at two strong Division I programs and this has allowed her to take responsibility in key areas of our program, especially our recruiting and athlete development, both of which we have grown tremendously in. I'm excited for the continued contribution Michelle will make to ODU women's soccer and our aim of taking this team competitively to the next level.”


Barr joined the Monarch family in 2014 after spending three years in her native Scotland developing the women’s soccer game at the Scottish Football Association as a National Youth Coach responsible for the Scottish National U15, U16 and U19 teams. During this time, Barr identified and developed some of the best young talent across Scotland and was instrumental in the establishment of regional performance schools and training centers.


During her time at ODU, Barr has helped develop the program from strength to strength and has influenced the rise to now be one of the most respected women’s programs in the state of Virginia. In the past few years alone, the Monarchs have made incredible strides, capturing unique Back-to-back championship honors. In 2022 ODU women’s Soccer lifted their first ever Sunbelt Championship, winning the conference tournament in their first year in the league. Just 12 months prior, Barr was part of the staff that led the Monarchs to a memorable 13-5-1 overall season, and in Conference play they were crowned regular season C-USA Champions as well as emphatically also winning the C-USA tournament. In the past two years the Monarchs been automatic qualifiers and competed in the NCAA tournament.


As a key part of a highly experienced staff, Michelle brings her experience and passion across various key program areas. On the field, Barr works closely to develop the defensive line, one of the consistently high performing aspects of the Monarch teams’ success. Other responsibilities in the program include individual player development, liaison for athletic development, planning and implementation of training sessions, scouting, and ongoing recruitment both domestically and internationally.


The 2022 season produced a historic end to the Monarchs first year back in Sun Belt Conference as they were crowned Tournament champions and secured, for the second year running, the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With a 9-9-3 record, which saw a slow start to the campaign they found form, and the back of the net, at the right time to make history as Back-to-Back champions across two different conferences. Ece Turkoglu and Carla Morich led the Monarchs with First Team all-conference, all-tournament team, all-region and all-district recognition.


The 2021 season proved a breakthrough season for ODU and Barr was instrumental in helping push the team to win the Conference USA Regular Season Championship with a 6-1-1 record in conference play. The Monarchs would go on to win the programs first ever Conference USA Tournament Championship and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs navigated conference play in dominant fashion, conceding only two goals in all eleven of their conference matches. The Monarchs would end the 2021 season with a national RPI of 52, the highest national ranking in program history. The 2021 season also saw the Monarchs receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national top 25 poll, along with a final regional ranking of fifth in the South region. The Monarchs would finish the season with a record of 13-5-1.


Prior to ODU, Barr spent five years as the assistant coach at Dartmouth College in the Ivy League. During her time with the Big Green, she helped the team to a 47-31-6 record, an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and a national ranking as high as No. 13 in the nation in 2006.


As a former Scottish National Team defender for over a 10-year period, Barr represented her country with 87 contest appearances. Barr brings valuable wealth of playing experience from across Europe and the United States. Barr played professionally in England, Iceland, USA, and most recently as a player-coach with Rangers FC in Scotland.


Barr holds the NSCAA National Diploma, UEFA ‘A’ License, as well as the Scottish Football Association Children and Youth pathway. Barr has also obtained strength and conditioning qualifications from the UKSCA and has served as a National Scout.


A 2008 graduate of Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England, Barr received her Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Sports Development and Leisure Management.

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Sam Kirschenbaum

Kirschenbaum was announced as Associate Head Women’s Coach at ODU in March 2023. After three impactful seasons assisting the program Head Coach Angie Hind made the change in title saying “Sam has made a great contribution to our coaching staff and team in his three years here and I believe this title reflects his positive impact and ongoing responsibility within the program. Whilst assisting with the goalkeepers and forward line on the field, he also has large recruiting responsibilities, and this is obviously an area that is key for the continued success of this program.”


During his time at ODU, the Monarchs have made incredible strides, capturing unique Back-to-back championship honors. In 2022 ODU women’s Soccer lifted their first ever Sunbelt Championship, winning the conference tournament in their first year in the league. Just 12 months prior, Kirschenbaum was part of the staff that led the Monarchs to a memorable 13-5-1 overall season, and in Conference play they were crowned regular season C-USA Champions as well as emphatically also winning the C-USA tournament. In the past two years the program has been automatic qualifiers and competed in the NCAA tournament.


As part of a highly experienced staff, he brings his experience and passion across various areas. On the field, Kirschenbaum works closely with the goalkeepers and oversees the development of the attacking line. His other responsibilities in the program include domestic and international recruiting, organizing and coaching training sessions, video analysis, and serving as the director of the Monarch Soccer Sisters program.


The 2022 season produced a historic end to the Monarchs first year back in Sun Belt Conference as they were crowned Tournament champions and secured, for the second year running, the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With a 9-9-3 record, which saw a slow start to the campaign they found form, and the back of the net, at the right time to make history as Back-to-Back champions across two different conferences. Ece Turkoglu and Carla Morich led the Monarchs with First Team all-conference, all-tournament team, all-region and all-district recognition.


The 2021 season proved successful for ODU as Kirschenbaum helped push the team to win the Conference USA Regular Season Championship with a 6-1-1 record in conference play. The Monarchs would go on to win the programs first ever Conference USA Tournament Championship and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs navigated conference play in dominant fashion, conceding only two goals in all eleven of their conference matches. The Monarchs would end the 2021 season with a national RPI of 52, the highest national ranking in program history. The 2021 season also saw the Monarchs receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national top 25 poll, along with a final regional ranking of fifth in the South region. The Monarchs would finish the season with a record of 13-5-1.


In 2020, Kirschenbaum helped the Monarchs to qualify for the Conference USA Tournament after going 3-2-1 in conference play. Three ODU players garnered All-Conference USA accolades, C-USA All-Academic Team laurels, All-Region Team honors, as well as All-State recognition.


Kirschenbaum arrived at ODU after two seasons as the first assistant and recruiting coordinator at UMBC. Kirschenbaum's main responsibilities included domestic and international recruiting, coordinating team travel, and coaching training sessions. During his time in Baltimore, Kirschenbaum also served as the assistant girl’s director of coaching for the Baltimore Celtic Soccer Club and was the head coach for the club's U19 and U16 teams.


Kirschenbaum arrived at UMBC following a successful two seasons as the first assistant and recruiting coordinator at Virginia Wesleyan University. In his two seasons at VWU, the Marlins made two appearances in the NCAA tournament and finished both seasons ranked in the South Atlantic Region. In 2017, the Marlins clinched the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Regular Season Championship after going 9-1 in conference play. The Marlins would earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and won its first-round game against Tufts University, its first NCAA victory since 2007. The Marlins would go on to finish the year ranked 24th in the final national poll for Division III women's soccer. In 2016, the Marlins went undefeated in conference play with a record of 7-0-3. The Marlins would go on to appear in the ODAC Championship match and receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In Kirschenbaum's two seasons at VWU, the Marlins held a 16-1-3 record in ODAC play and finished both seasons ranked 5th in the South Atlantic Region.


Prior to his time at VWU, Kirschenbaum was the first assistant and recruiting coordinator at Marist. While with the Red Foxes, Kirschenbaum was responsible for recruiting student-athletes, coaching training sessions, video analysis, and scouting opponents. During those two seasons, Marist climbed from a 10th place to 3rd place regular season finish in the MAAC, including a 6-3-1 conference record in 2015. In Kirschenbaum's second season with the Red Foxes, three freshmen were selected to the MAAC All-Rookie Team, a number more than any other program in the conference.


While at Marist, Kirschenbaum was also involved in youth soccer, serving as the director of coaching for the Hyde Park Soccer Club. As the clubs first ever director of coaching, Kirschenbaum organized Fall and Spring clinics, created age-specific curriculum, hired coaching staff, and built the Hyde Park pre-academy program.


He has experience as an ODP Region I Staff Coach and served as the assistant coach with the program's U14 girls’ team that traveled to Scotland to compete in international friendlies. In addition to Region I, he has worked with Eastern New York ODP, serving as the head coach for the U16 girls’ team in 2016.


Kirschenbaum played his college soccer at SUNY Cortland, where he was a three-time SUNYAC All-Academic Team honoree. He then went on to play semi-professionally in the Premier Developmental League (now USL II) for the Westchester Flames.


Kirschenbaum holds a C License from the United States Soccer Federation, as well as a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA). He serves as an associate staff coach for United Soccer Coaches and was chosen as a member of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 program in 2017.


A native of Oceanside, New York, Kirschenbaum graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Cortland in 2013 and earned his master’s degree in educational, school, and counseling psychology with an emphasis in positive coaching and athletic leadership from the University of Missouri in 2021.

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Alan Dawson

The all-time winningest coach in Old Dominion soccer history, Alan Dawson closed out his 26th season at the helm of the ODU men’s soccer program in the fall of 2022. With a career record of 380-190-59, Dawson ranks in the top 15 in all-time winning percentage in collegiate men’s soccer. In addition, Dawson’s 251 victories at ODU are the most in Old Dominion soccer history.


The Northern Ireland native has guided the Monarchs to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. ODU has twice advanced to the Sweet 16 under Dawson, with those appearances coming in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007. In addition, seven of Dawson’s squads of been ranked in the final NSCAA Top 25 of the season, including the 2006 team that was ranked 14th in the final poll.


A four-time conference coach of the year, Dawson has pioneered to Monarchs to three conference tournament titles and three conference regular season titles. Most recently, ODU won the 2014 and 2016 Conference USA Championship on its home field.


Over his 26 years at Old Dominion, Dawson has produced nine NSCAA All-Americans, five conference players of the years, five NSCAA Academic All-Americans and 11 MLS Super Draft selections. In 2018, Dawson picked up his first Academic All-American since 2002 in Niko Klosterhalfen who was named Google Cloud Academic All-American.


A LOOK BACK


2021: Eliot Goldthorp was an All C-USA Second Team selection and an All-Freshman Team honoree, while Josh Thacker earned All C-USA Third Team honors. A total of 24 Monarchs were named to the Conference USA Honor Roll, while seven ODU Student-athletes earning a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.


2020: Thacker was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, as well as was named to the All C-USA Second Team and All-Freshman Team. Doumbia was named to the All-Conference USA Third Team, while Casadei joined Thacker on the All-Freshman Team. Thacker garnered College Soccer News All-Freshman Team laurels. Additionally, Thacker and Casadei were also named to the All-State Team. A total of 19 Monarchs were named to the Conference USA Honor Roll, while seven ODU student-athletes earned a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.


2018: Finishing second in the league with a 6-2-0 record, Alan Dawson's bunch wrapped up the 2018 season with a 11-5-2 overall record. During the regular season, ODU faced two nationally-ranked opponents in No. 1 UNC and No. 3 Kentucky. In the largest home crowd of the season, the Monarchs came to a 1-1 draw against No. 1 UNC on October 9. At the C-USA Tournament, No. 2 seeded ODU shutout New Mexico in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, ODU fell to No. 14 nationally-ranked Charlotte, 4-2. In goal, junior Mertcan Akar made 50 saves in 2018. Senior Max Wilschrey led the Monarchs offensively with 13 goals and seven assists. Niko Klosterhalfen was also a force in the offense, scoring eight goals and nine assists. Wilschrey and Klosterhalfen were both named to the VaSID Second Team All-State, All-Tournament Team, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team and the C-USA First Team All-Conference. Wilschrey finished the season sixth in the nation in most points, while Klosterhalfen finished the season 18th in the nation for most assists. Klosterhalfen was also named a Google Cloud Academic All-American after finishing a stellar season on and off the field. Klosterhalfen graduated a semester early and posted a 3.88 GPA in Psychology. He was the first student-athlete at Old Dominion to receive the honor since 2006 and first men's soccer player to earn the honor since 2002. Ryan McLaughlin, Mertcan Akar and Daniel Corona also earned post season accolades.


2017: The Monarchs ended their season 13-6-2 and 6-2-0 in the C-USA, capturing the program's second C-USA title. The accomplishment is also the institutions third C-USA Title in school history. The Monarchs earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, beating NC State in the first round, 2-0; and falling to No. 2 Indiana in the NCAA second round, 3-0. Mertcan Akar earned C-USA Golden Glove of the Year Award as well as a First Team All-Conference honor. Seven Monarchs earned All-C-USA honors, including Sebastien Hauret, Fox Slotemaker, Brandon Perdue, Max Wilschrey, Hans Kroschwitz, Niko Klosterhalfen, and Mertcan Akar. Akar, Fox Slotemaker, Max Wilschrey, and Niko Kloserthalfen all earned honors on the All-Southeast Region Teams. ODU was ranked several times throughout the season, including a high No. 18.


2016: Old Dominion finished the season with a 6-9-2 record and seventh in the C-USA conference standings. Redshirt-Freshman Sebastien Hauret led the team in assists (7) and points (11) earning him a spot on the Conference USA All-Rookie squad and the title of Virginia Sports Information Directors Rookie of the Year. The 2016 Monarchs fell in the semifinal round of the C-USA Tournament to FIU 2-0.


2015: The Monarchs compiled an 8-5-3 record and finished fourth in the C-USA regular season standings. ODU reached a high ranking of No. 9 on the year, while Niko Klosterhalfen was named the conference's Freshman of the Year. The '15 squad fell in the quarterfinals of the C-USA Championship to eventual champ FIU.


2014: ODU captured the school's first ever C-USA Championship, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs, who finished with a 13-7-1 record, played one of the nation's toughest schedules and finished with an NCAA RPI of 20. Dawson won his 200th career game at ODU in 2014, when the Monarchs defeated William & Mary in October.


2013: The Monarchs finished 11-6-1, including a 7-2-0 mark in Conference USA play, in the team's first season in the league. ODU reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, while the Monarchs lost only one game on the road (at sixth seed Georgetown in the NCAAs ) and tied nationally-ranked Maryland. Tim Hopkinson had a career year for ODU, garnering C-USA Player of the Year and second team NSCAA All-American honors.


2012: The Monarchs were 11-3-3 and ranked as high as fourth nationally by Soccer America and College Soccer News on Sept. 18 after defeating then second-ranked Creighton. This year's squad qualified for the NCAA Tournament, but fell in the first round.


2011: Dawson won his 300th collegiate game on Nov. 11 in the CAA semifinals against Georgia State. The Monarchs, who compiled a 12-6-2, ranked as high as seventh nationally and finished the regular season second in the CAA and CAA Tournament runner-ups. The Monarchs ranked second nationally in goals scored with 48 for a 2.4 per game average.


2010: The 10-7-2 Monarchs defeated then second-ranked North Carolina in a regular season match at the ODU Soccer Complex. ODU received an at-large spot to the NCAA Tournament and promptly knocked off defending National Champion Virginia in the first round, before falling in the second round at Penn State.


2009: The Monarchs compiled an 11-5-2 record as senior Nane Joseph earned NSCAA second team All-American honors and was selected in the fourth round of the MLS Super Draft by Toronto. Steffen Rabben was named ODU Scholar Athlete of the Year with the prestigious Wilkins/Howard Award.


2008: ODU tied for second in the CAA and newcomer Steffen Rabben became the fourth Monarch under Dawson to earn CAA Rookie of the Year honors, as the team compiled a 9-7-3 overall record.


2007: The 15-4-2 Monarchs captured the CAA Championship and advanced to the round of 16 after beating Providence and sixth-ranked Brown. David Horst earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight year and became the first Monarch ever selected in the first round of the MLS Super Draft.


2006: ODU compiled a 14-6-2 record and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA College Cup, knocking off Winthrop, and 10th-ranked North Carolina before losing a 2-1 decision to eventual national champion UC Santa Barbara. ODU also ranked among the nation's top 20 in attendance, while Edson Elcock was tabbed a first team All-American by the NSCAA.


2005: The Monarchs rolled to a 15-4-2 record, reaching the CAA Championship match for the second straight year and earning a No. 10 seed in the NCAA College Cup. During the season, ODU knocked off nationally-ranked Virginia, Davidson, and NC State. Dawson was named CAA Coach of the Year for the fourth time and the Virginia Coach of the Year by VaSID for the second time, while Brian Cvilikas was named the CAA Player of the Year.


2004: The Monarchs were 13-6-2 and reached the championship match of the Colonial Athletic Association. For the first time in school history, ODU was awarded a No. 12 seed and a first round bye of the NCAA Tournament. During the regular season, the Monarchs defeated North Carolina, Rutgers and handed CAA rival James Madison its first loss of the year.


2003: The Monarchs reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Old Dominion defeated NC State, 6-3, at home in the first round before falling to No. 2 seed Maryland, 2-1. The Monarchs were ranked as high as No. 2 during a season that saw ODU race to a 14-0-0 start and become the last Division I team to lose a game. The Monarchs started the season with a nine game shutout streak and ended with a 15-4-1 overall mark. Dawson received his third CAA Coach of the Year award and was named the NSCAA South-Atlantic Coach of the Year. Trevor McEachron and Attila Vendegh both earned NSCAA All-American honors, with McEachron landing on the first team.


2002: ODU qualified for its first NCAA Tournament under Dawson, advancing to the second round of the big dance. Overall, the Monarchs posted a 10-9-4 record, including a 6-2-1 mark in CAA play. Attila Vendegh was named CAA Player of the Year after scoring a team-high 16 goals.


2001: The Monarchs went 8-7-2 and captured the CAA regular season crown with a 3-0-2 record in league play. Attila Vendegh was named the CAA Player of the Year, while Dawson earned CAA Coach of the Year honors.


2000: The Monarchs compiled a 10-6-2 record and finished second in the CAA regular season standings with a 6-1-1 mark. ODU fell in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament, while Attila Vendegh was named the CAA Freshman of the Year and a Soccer America Freshman All-American.


1999: ODU finished 15-4-0, winning the CAA regular season title with a 7-1-0 conference record. The season earned Dawson CAA Coach of the Year honors and the Virginia Sports Information Directors' Coach of the Year Award. Jimmy Tanner was named the CAA Player of the Year and a third team All-American by the NSCAA.


1998: The Monarchs went 8-8-2, including a 3-5-0 mark in CAA play, in Dawson's second season at the helm of the ODU program. Jimmy Tanner led the Monarchs in goals and total points, while Carlos Mendes led the team in assists.


1997: In Dawson's first year at ODU, the Monarchs compiled a 7-9-2 overall and a 3-5-0 mark in CAA play. The Monarchs finished seventh in the CAA league standings and fell in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.


COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS AT ODU


CAA: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005


Virginia (VaSID): 1999, 2005


NSCAA South-Atlantic Region: 2003


NOTABLE WINS


First Win at ODU: 1-0 vs Robert Morris (9-5-97)


100th Win at ODU: 2-0 vs. W&M (11-4-05)


300th Career Win: 5-3 vs. Georgia State (11-11-12)


200th Win at ODU: 1-0 at W&M (10-21-14)


PRIOR TO OLD DOMINION


Dawson served as an assistant coach at North Carolina in 1996, following a nine-year stine at DIII Methodist College. In 1995, he led Methodist to the NCAA Division III Championship game. While at Methodist, he guided the school to seven consecutive conference championships and six straight NCAA tournament appearances in only nine seasons.


He was inducted into the Methodist College Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. His combined career record at Methodist was 129-30-1 and his squads finished in the top 10 of the ISAA national polls for seven consecutive seasons. He garnered Dixie Conference Coach of the Year honors five times and South Region Coach of the Year honors in 1990 and 1995. He produced 32 All-South selections, seven All-Americans, and two Academic All-Americans during his tenure at the school. Dawson also coached three teams to undefeated seasons: in 1991 (15-0-3), 1992 (14-0-2) and 1993 (17-0-0).


Before coaching at Methodist, he served as a graduate assistant coach at UNC-Greensboro from 1984-86. UNCG reached the NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 1984 and won the championship in 1985.


OTHER COACHING VENTURES


Dawson served as head coach of the North Carolina Olympic Development team from 1989-94, winning the USSF Region III championship game in 1993. He was a USSF South Region staff member from 1992 to 1996, and served as the 1979 Region III head coach. He has also served as Chairman of the Intercollegiate Soccer Association South Region rating committee.


Dawson is a member of the NCAA Regional Selection Committee for the South-Atlantic Region. He also led the Virginia ODP team to back-to-back regional championships as the head coach in 1999 and 2000. He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) `B' license, and a Full Irish Badge (Grade One) coaching license.


OFF THE PITCH


Dawson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Lock Haven University in 1984, and a Master of Science degree in physical education from the UNC Greensboro in 1986. He and his wife Mari have three children: Alec, Garrick, and Ellesse. Alan is the son of Isabel and Stanley Dawson of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Tennant McVea

Tennant McVea finished his sixth season as Associate Head Coach in 2022 after returning to the coaching staff in the 2017 season. McVea was, previously, an integral part of the Men’s Soccer Staff from 2013-2015. During that time the program won the institutions first Conference USA Championship trophy in 2014.


In 2022, the Monarchs rejoined one of the toughest conferences in soccer with their first season back in the Sun Belt and opened conference play with a 4-2 win at Georgia Southern. Freshman Michael Statham was a standout in goal with five shutouts, including one over 20th-ranked Campbell. ODU knocked off fourth-ranked Marshall 2-1 on October 15 behind goals from Michael Eberle and Samuel Mar Kristinsson. As a result of that win, Statham earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Kristinsson was named College Soccer News Team of the Week


In the fall of 2021, Eliot Goldthorp was an All C-USA Second Team selection and an All-Freshman Team honoree, while Josh Thacker earned All C-USA Third Team honors. A total of 24 Monarchs were named to the Conference USA Honor Roll, while seven ODU Student-athletes earning a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.


In 2020-21, McVea helped coach Josh Thacker to a Conference USA Freshman of the Year award. Thacker was named to the All C-USA Second Team and All-Freshman Team. Djibril Doumbia was named to the All-Conference USA Third Team, while Ettore Casadei joined Thacker on the All-Freshman Team. Thacker garnered College Soccer News All-Freshman Team laurels. Additionally, Thacker and Casadei were also named to the All-State Team. A total of 19 Monarchs were named to the Conference USA Honor Roll, while seven ODU student-athletes earned a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.


The 2019 campaign saw the Monarchs garner victories over VCU, South Carolina and William & Mary. Senior Deniz Dogan scored a team-high five goals with two assists for 12 points and was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team. That season the Monarchs had six named to the C-USA Academic Honor Roll, while two earned C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal honors.


In 2018, McVea was instrumental in ODU finishing second place in the C-USA with a 6-2-0 mark in league play. The Monarchs returned an exciting core group from the 2017 Conference USA Championship winning team. The team lost on the final night of the season to the #3 ranked team in the nation, University of Kentucky, in a game that decided the regular season champions. The Monarchs went on to lose in the Conference USA Semifinal to the #14 ranked University of Charlotte and narrowly missed out on another trip to the NCAA National Championship.


That year the Monarchs again picked up multiple post season honors on and off the field. Niko Klosterhalfen ended his career being named to the Google Cloud Third Team Academic All American. He was the first Monarch to earn the award since Men’s Basketball’s Alex Loughton earned the honor in 2006. The German native boasted a 3.88 GPA and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in psychology. Six Monarchs tabbed places on the Conference USA end of season All Conference Teams, while 11 named to C-USA Academic Honor Roll and two earned C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal honors.


Upon his return McVea was instrumental in building the 2017 Conference USA championship winning team that advanced to the national tournament. After a standout 2-0 win at home to NC State, the Monarchs narrowly lost to NCAA finalists Indiana in the second round.


In that year Brandon Perdue was named VaSID Rookie of the year and Mertcan Akar earned VaSID All State first team honors. Akar, along with Niko Klosterhalfen, Fox Slotemaker and Max Wilschrey, also picked up United Soccer Coaches All Southeast Region honors. Seven Monarchs garnered all Conference USA awards for their efforts on the field while. Niko Klosterhalfen was one of 14 to earn a place on the Conference USA All-Academic Team gaining a 3.84 GPA.


McVea played a pivotal role in the development of defensive captain Fox Slotemaker who went on to sign a professional contract with Tasman United in his native New Zealand.


McVea spent the 2016 season as an Assistant Coach with Elon University working alongside current MLS Assistant Coach Chris Little (Colorado Rapids). While at Elon, McVea helped the Phoenix to a 7-6-4 record 3-2-3 in the CAA and coached Elijah Agu to an NSCAA All-Region Second-Team nod.


Off the field, McVea is responsible for the academic success of the Men’s Soccer student athletes. Since his return in 17 the team have consistently been one of the top-ranking men’s teams on campus. In the spring of 2023, the Program earned a 3.35 GPA tabbing them the highest male sport team GPA.


As well as his work at Old Dominion, McVea has become an integral part of the soccer community in Hampton Roads. He has been involved in coaching and mentorship of players at local ECNL club Beach FC since 2013 and has been on staff at Newport News based Lionsbridge FC (USL 2) since their formation in 2017. McVea has mentored and developed multiple players who have played professionally in the United States in the MLS, USL Championship and USL League one as well as Europe and beyond. He currently holds a B license with United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and is part of the current cohort for the prestigious USSF A Senior License with some of the top head and assistant coaches in the MLS, NWSL and USL Championship.


After a stellar collegiate career, McVea signed his first professional contract with Finnish Premier League club FC Lahti in 2010. McVea played for several clubs in the United States and Europe before retiring from playing. He was capped for his country, Northern Ireland, from the U16-U19 level and captained the team at the U17 European Championships in 2004.


McVea played collegiately at Loyola University of Maryland where he was a First Team All-American in 2008 as well as a three-time All-Region selection. McVea, was the first player to be named MAAC player of the year three times in a row and captained the team to three straight national tournament appearances from 2007-09. The Greyhounds were ranked as high as sixth in the nation in 2008. In 2009, he was a finalist for the prestigious Lowe’s Senior Class Award.


He graduated from Loyola with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in general business in 2009.


McVea and his wife Jaclyn live in Virginia Beach with their son Tennant.

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Nathan Jones

Jones finished his third season at ODU in 2022.


In the 2022 campaign, Jones guided freshman goalkeeper Michael Statham to a strong rookie campaign with five shutouts, including a home clean sheet over nationally-ranked Campbell. Statham earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week following a 2-1 ODU win at fourth-ranked Marshall in mid-October.


The 2021 fall season saw goalkeeper Djibril Doumbia record a pair of clean sheets against Loyola (MD) and UAB. During the spring 2021 season Jones helped mentor Doumbia to third-team All C-USA. Doumbia was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week twice and also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week during the Spring 2021 season.


Jones came to ODU by the way of Tiffin University. In his three years on the staff at Tiffin, Jones helped the Dragons to the 2018 Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular season and conference tournament titles and the 2019 conference tournament title. In 2018, the Tiffin coaching staff was also named the Midwest Region Staff of the Year by a vote of the United Soccer Coaches Association.


Jones, a native of Flintshire, Wales, played four seasons as a starting goalkeeper for the Urbana University men's soccer team. Jones, a two-year captain, earned first-team All-Mountain East Conference honors as a freshman, junior and senior and was named Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. He also was a first-team NSCAA All-Atlantic Region choice in 2015 and 2016, and landed on the second team in 2013.


Growing up in Wales, Jones played in the youth system at Tranmere Rovers FC, an English third-division team, for seven years until the U18 level.


Jones holds his United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, U.S Soccer C and D Licenses and F.A Level 2 Certification


Following the 2022 season, he was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator.


He graduated from Urbana University with a degree in Sports Management in 2016 and a M.B.A in Sports Management and Leadership from Tiffin University in 2019.

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