St. Michaels College

Colchester, VT 05439

Vermont Northeast

Private Small Developing team

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Wendy Elles

Wendy Elles heads into her 11th season as the Saint Michael's women's soccer head coach in 2023. She is also the Intramural co-director for the College.

The Purple Knights, who boasted 17 rookies, were bolstered by a historic defensive effort in 2021, when they were ranked as high as ninth in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll. Saint Michael's posted seven shutouts, tying for second in program history with its most since 1989, and registered a 0.94 goals-against average, best in 15 years and third in school annals. The Purple and Gold played 15 games decided by one goal or less, including 10 1-0 affairs, with the Purple Knights knocking off regionally-ranked sides from American International College and Pace University by that final. Saint Michael's also downed the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the No. 1 team in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), 1-0.

Saint Michael's did not compete during the 2020-21 school year, when eight newcomers from seven different states - including seven first-years - joined the program.

The Purple Knights matched their highest win total in 11 years during the 2019 season, kicking off the fall with a 3-2 mark before a 2-1 overtime victory against regionally-ranked Southern Connecticut State University highlighted the back portion of the schedule. Saint Michael's also played to a scoreless draw with regionally-ranked Assumption University while losing a pair of 1-0 contests to other regionally-ranked foes, including taking Adelphi University to double overtime. The Purple and Gold registered six shutouts, its most since 2008, and a 1.34 goals-against average, its best in nine seasons.

Saint Michael's had a pair of 1-1 comeback ties in 2018, while a third deadlock was a scoreless draw on home turf against 11th-ranked Franklin Pierce University. Four contests went down as 1-0 setbacks during the fall.

The Purple Knights started 3-3-1 in 2017, with each of those contests being decided by one goal or less. Saint Michael's later lost only 1-0 to No. 8 Adelphi University, one of their 13 instances of yielding two goals or fewer. The Purple and Gold posted its best save total in eight years, highest save percentage in seven, and lowest goals-against average in five.

Thirteen players in their first season of college soccer dominated the roster in 2016, and four veterans held down key roles for the first time. Two of the Purple Knights' victories came against regionally-ranked squads, as they shocked Merrimack College, 2-1, with two goals in the final 46 seconds before blanking American International College, 1-0, in overtime. AIC had been perfect in Northeast-10 Conference play entering the game. Seven of the Purple and Gold's setbacks came by two goals or less, including in five straight decisions in the latter portion of October.

In 2015, the Purple Knights held foes to two goals or less on eight occasions, with narrow 1-0 losses coming against regionally-ranked opponents University of New Haven and Southern New Hampshire University. Six losses came by one goal, including in overtime versus SNHU and Bentley University.

Saint Michael's tied for the eighth-best turnaround in Division II women's soccer in 2014, improving five games over its 2013 record thanks to such positive results as a 1-0 win over 2013 NCAA Tournament Final Four qualifier American International College, which was regionally ranked, and a scoreless draw with regionally-ranked Saint Anselm College. The Purple Knights also downed Merrimack for the first time since 2002. At 5-11-1 overall and 4-9-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference, Saint Michael's was one league win shy of matching its highest total since 2002. Elles' charges matched their greatest shutout (5) figure in six years, which had been the last time the Purple and Gold accumulated more than the 13 assists they dished out in 2014.

In 2013, the Purple Knights held opponents to two goals or fewer on 12 occasions, playing to seven one-goal decisions.

During four years as the head coach at Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, between 2009 and 2012, Elles led the Hornets to North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament appearances twice, including while hosting their first postseason contest to cap a 9-8-1 campaign in 2011. Following the 2012 campaign, the team earned a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Gold Medal Award for Team Ethics after not being assessed a single card during the fall. The Hornets earned the NAC Team Sportsmanship Award in 2009.

Prior to her time at NVU-Lyndon, Elles was the assistant coach for four years at Endicott College, helping the Gulls go 67-17-5 overall and 46-3-1 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). The Gulls qualified for the NCAA Tournament each year, advancing as far as the Sweet 16 in 2006, while winning three CCC Tournament crowns.

Elles was the assistant coach at the University of Vermont from 1997 until 2003, as the Catamounts earned nine wins in each of her first two seasons, as well as qualifying for an America East Championship semifinal in 1998. During the 1996-97 school year, Elles served as an assistant coach for both women's basketball and soccer at Fairleigh Dickinson University's College at Florham.

Since 2001, Elles has been heavily involved with youth coaching in Vermont, including working with the Far Post Soccer Club since 2006. As a coach each year during that time, Elles guided her squads to 10 state crowns and US Youth Soccer regional tournaments. Previously the director of education for four years, Elles has been the director of coaching since 2008. Between 2001 and 2010, she was the head coach for Vermont's Olympic Development Program girls' team.

Elles has worked summer camps for Far Post since 2002 after previously serving a role during camps for the University of Vermont, Gettysburg (Pa.) College and Millersville (Pa.) University. She aided the Girls of America Love Soccer (GOALS) Camp in Blairstown, N.J., between 1994 and 2001, and the Champ Soccer Camp in Burlington each year from 2004 until 2010. Elles also developed and directed the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program in Vermont for five years, guiding an organization that works with youth athletes with disabilities.

During her career, Elles has earned coaching certification on three occasions. She garnered a NSCAA National Diploma in 2001, an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma a year later while passing with distinction, and qualified for her NSCAA Premier Diploma in 2006.

A 1996 graduate of Gettysburg with a degree in sociology and a concentration in French, Elles earned her master's in interdisciplinary studies from Vermont in 2004. A 1995 NSCAA All-America selection and the Centennial Conference Player of the Year from the backfield, Elles was named all-region four times while helping the Bullets go 51-21 overall and 28-3 in the league. Gettysburg qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1993 and 1994. Elles went on to play three years in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues' (USISL) W-League, and alternatively and often simultaneously played in and helped develop the Vermont Amateur Soccer League since 2001. In 2014, Elles was inducted into the North Branford (Conn.) High School Athletic Hall of Fame before being chosen for Gettysburg's Hall of Athletic Honor in 2017. Elles was chosen for the Centennial Conference's Silver Anniversary team in 2018 thanks to her collegiate playing career.

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Jefferson Hales

Jefferson Hales returns to the Saint Michael's women's soccer coaching staff for his seventh season as an assistant coach in 2023.

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Wade Jean

Wade Jean heads into his 13th season at the helm of the Saint Michael's men's soccer program in 2022, and his 11th since returning to the institution for a second stint after also guiding the team in 2006 and 2007. The 2022 season is Jean's 23rd as a college head coach, having also coached at NCAA Division I Duquesne University for nearly a decade. In fall 2018, Jean began a four-year term on the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Committee as the East Region's representative.

The Saint Albans, Vt., native also serves as the Saint Michael's Department of Athletics' tickets manager. Jean was instrumental in the creation in 2017 of the Community Cup, through which the Saint Michael's and Saint Anselm College men's soccer teams raise money for a local charity during their early-season, non-conference meeting.

Eighteen rookies were rostered in 2021, when the youthful Purple Knights finished just under .500, at 7-9-1, with four wins coming by a single goal. Saint Michael's knocked off regionally-ranked Saint Anselm College, 2-1, tied regionally-ranked University of New Haven, 1-1, and lost a 1-0 decision to Franklin Pierce University, which was ranked second in the nation.

The Purple Knights did not play during the 2020-21 school year, when 13 newcomers - including 11 first-years - joined the program.

The 2019 team was one of the youngest in program history, touting 10 first-years and nine sophomores to go along with only six upperclassmen. The Purple Knights broke out to a 3-1-1 start despite the inexperience before suffering five one-goal losses - including four against regionally-ranked foes - down the stretch. Saint Michael's capped the year with a 2-1 win at Stonehill College on Nov. 2, stunning the Skyhawks with two goals in the final 1:40.

Thirteen student-athletes competing in their first season of college soccer bolstered a young roster in 2018, when the Purple Knights started 3-4-1, including a 1-0 win over regionally-ranked The College of Saint Rose. Back-to-back 1-0 losses against Bentley University - the defending Northeast-10 Conference Championship titlist - and Southern Connecticut State University - a 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier - followed, as six losses by two goals or less came down the stretch.

In 2017, the Purple Knights played 11 games decided by one goal or less, including extending their overtime record to 6-1-3 since 2015. Saint Michael's tied Saint Anselm College, 1-1, for the Community Cup while earning a 5-0 win against Bentley University, the eventual Northeast-10 Conference Championship runner-up. The Purple and Gold capped their season with a 2-1, double-overtime victory against regionally-ranked Southern New Hampshire University.

A 2016 team that saw six key players miss major stretches utilized 15 players who either were in their first season of college soccer or their initial season holding a critical role on the team. The Purple Knights started the year with their second Catholic Cup crown in three seasons, before all 10 of their losses came by two goals or fewer. Four consecutive one-goal setbacks to begin October - including the final three against eventual NE10 Championship qualifiers - damaged their postseason hopes.

In 2015, the Purple Knights (8-9-1, 5-7-1) made a return to the NE10 Championship for the first time in eight years, and for the third time in Jean's tenure. His squad allowed one goal or less eight times, posting six shutouts, while downing regionally-ranked Bentley University and Southern Connecticut State University during the season. After a late-season 3-1-1 surge helped them clinch a postseason bid, the eighth-seeded Purple Knights lost to No. 1 Southern New Hampshire University, 3-0, during a quarterfinal contest. Not only did Saint Michael's square off with a perennial league power - the Penmen would go on to win their fourth straight NE10 Championship - but SNHU later advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Purple Knights posted at least eight wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006 and 2007, and claimed their best NE10 winning percentage in five years.

The Purple Knights won the season-opening Catholic Cup in 2014 and knocked off regionally-ranked Le Moyne College before themselves earning a regional ranking during a 5-0 start, which included four straight shutouts to begin the fall. Four of their losses ended up being sustained by one goal during a 9-8 campaign, as they matched their highest win total since 2007. Seven shutouts were the most by Saint Michael's since 2009. With their second straight 5-8 NE10 record, the Purple Knights matched their highest league victories figure since 2006. With a season-ending 1-0 victory over Assumption College on Oct. 31, the Purple and Gold handed Jean his 150th career head coaching win.

During the fall of 2013, the Purple Knights started league play 5-1 for the first time in program annals on the strength of shutout victories over regionally-ranked Bentley University and Merrimack College. Saint Michael's was also one of just four teams to hold a lead at any point that season against eventual national champion Southern New Hampshire University, netting the opening goal on Oct. 16.

Jean guided the Purple Knights to their most profilic offensive showing during the fall of 2012, setting school records for goals (36) and points (100). While posting 28 assists, Saint Michael's came within one of a 26-year-old mark. By sporting a 1.05 goals-against average, Jean's charges have now posted three of the top seven GAAs in program annals.

In his initial stint with the Purple Knights, Jean inherited a program that had qualified for the NE10 Championship five times in its first 19 seasons of league play. He promptly led the program to NE10 Championship berths both years at the helm, posting a 21-10-8 overall record and a 12-8-6 league mark. The 2006 squad's third-place regular-season showing was its best since 1988, and its NE10 Championship semifinal appearance was the program's first in 18 years. He was named NE10 Coach of the Year in 2006. The year before Jean's arrival, the Purple Knights allowed 37 goals in 18 games; during his two seasons, the Purple and Gold yielded 28 in 39 contests, posting 20 shutouts.

Between 2008 and 2011, Jean coached with the Division I University of Vermont, helping the program qualify for the America East Conference Tournament three times while going 11-11-7 in the conference. Vermont knocked off a pair of nationally-ranked foes in that stretch, including No. 13 Stanford University on Sept. 1, 2010. Jean was an assistant in 2008 before serving three falls as the associate head coach.

Jean, who holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Advanced National Coaching License, has served as the director of coaching for the Nordic Soccer Club in Essex, Vt., since 2006.

Prior to Saint Michael's, Jean was the head coach from 1998 to 2005 at Division I Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, being named Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year four times in his eight seasons. He left with the school record for victories, going 82-54-15. The Dukes posted five 13-win seasons, including each year between 2002 and 2005, advancing at least as far as the A-10 Tournament semifinals each of those four years, including to the 2002 title game. Under Jean, the Dukes made it to a pair of tournament championship games and earned at least a share of three A-10 regular-season crowns. Duquesne was ranked as high as 25th in the final 2003 national poll.

Jean was an assistant coach for three seasons from 1995 to 1997 at Division I Bowling Green (Ohio) State University, helping the Falcons to a 52-13-3 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Bowling Green won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament all three years. Before his stint at Bowling Green, Jean worked at Division I Illinois State University, serving as a volunteer assistant in 1993 and a graduate assistant in 1994. The Redbirds tied for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) both seasons.

Prior to heading Midwest, Jean spent three seasons (1990-92) as the head coach at Champlain College in Burlington, building the Beavers into one of the region's top Division I National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) programs. Champlain won a program-record 12 games in Jean's final year with the school in 1992. Following a playing career at Northern Vermont University-Johnson, Jean spent one season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, helping the Badgers compile a 16-4-1 record and a berth in the NAIA Tournament in 1989. The Badgers also won Mayflower Conference and North Atlantic regional championships during Jean's year as an assistant.

A high school graduate of Bellows Free Academy in Saint Albans, Jean played soccer for four years at NVU-Johnson, graduating in 1990 with a degree in elementary education. A four-year starter as a defensive midfielder, Jean was a two-year captain and led the Badgers to three Mayflower Conference titles. He also earned the Bryan Wendall Award, given to the individual signifying the most dedication to his college's men's soccer program. He was inducted into the NVU-Johnson Athletic Hall of Fame in fall 2018. Jean received his master's degree in health, physical education, recreation and dance from Illinois State in 1996.