University of Evansville

Evansville, IN 47722

Indiana Midwest

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Chris Pfau

Pfau took over the Purple Aces women's soccer program for the second time in December of 2019, after serving as head coach from 2005-07. In the first go-around at UE, Pfau orchestrated the seventh-best turn around in the country in 2005, while putting together three 10-win seasons and advancing to the MVC Tournament finals in his second season as head coach.

In Pfau’s second session as head coach, year two saw a return of UE to the MVC Tournament finals, while posting the highest victory total in nearly a decade. Pfau led Evansville to its best start in program history, while helping UE earn a regional-ranking for three-straight weeks. In fact, UE was ranked as high as fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest Region poll during the 2021 season.

Pfau's first season back in white and purple saw his side put up impressive statistics on the defensive side. In the eight-match spring season, the Aces recorded five shutouts and only allowed three goals. Evansville's three goalkeepers were outstanding, each seeing time between the posts with all three recording at least one shutout.

Evansville finished inside the top three in the nation in both save percentage (.936) and goals-against average (.342) and concluded the season in 15th in NCAA DI in shutout percentage (.625). The Aces three goals allowed put them tops in The Valley in the category. Goalkeeper Michaela Till finished her fourth season at UE as one of the best goalkeepers in the nation statistically. Till ended the spring third in save percentage (.929) and fifth in goals against (.367) in the nation.

During his six total years as head coach of the Purple Aces, Pfau’s student-athletes have received numerous accolades including four All-Region players, 23 MVC All-Conference selections, eight MVC All-Freshman Team selections, 19 conference players of the week and 12 MVC Scholar-Athlete Team honorees. In 2006, Pfau and his assistants were named the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year. Overall, he has fashioned a 41-39-19 record in six seasons as head coach of the Purple Aces.

Pfau's extensive head coaching resume includes stops as head coach at Akron (2008-12) where he earned back-to-back undefeated seasons against MAC East Division foes and won the MAC East for the first time in school history, and Houston (2012-17), leading the Cougars to their first postseason berth since 2010.

He also brings a wealth of coaching experience from various avenues in the soccer field. As an assistant at Princeton from 2003 through 2005, he helped his team earn a berth in the College Cup Final Four. Prior to his that, his coaching experience includes the director of coaching for the Junior Irish Soccer Club (2002-03), head women's coach at St. Mary's College (2002-03), head men's coach at Mount Mary College (1999-02), assistant for the Cincinnati River Hawks of the A-league from 1997 through 1999 and the head coach of the Cincinnati United Soccer Club (1995-99). In his final stop before coming back to Evansville, Pfau was an assistant coach at Valparaiso from 2017-19.

Before his coaching tenure began, Pfau was a highly successful player at Old Dominion. He was a team captain, four-year starter and all-region honoree during his collegiate playing days, which spanned from 1985-89. Pfau went on to enjoy a lengthy professional playing career in the APSL, WPSL and WSL from 1989-99.

Chris and his wife, Tracey, have two children - Connor and Paige - and they reside in Evansville.

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Grace White

Grace White is entering her sixth season on the sidelines with the University of Evansville women’s soccer program in the fall of 2023. She works primarily with UE’s goalkeepers, while assisting with all other aspects of the UE program.

White initially joined the UE program in 2018 as a graduate assistant coach/goalkeeping coach. After a two-year stint as a graduate assistant, White was elevated to a full-time assistant coach after the 2019 season when Chris Pfau took over the UE program.

White’s impact on UE’s goalkeeping corps has been profound during her time at UE. In the three years prior to White’s arrival, Evansville did not rank in the nation’s top 100 in any goalkeeping category. Since her arrival, UE has ranked in the nation’s top 100 in one of the main goalkeeper categories (saves, saves percentage, goals-against average and shutout percentage) in each of White’s first four years on campus. In fact, UE ranked second nationally in save percentage (.936), third nationally in goals-against average (0.342), and 15th nationally in shutout percentage during the 2020-2021 season.

White was a standout in goal at Division II Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut collegiately, where she still ranks third all-time in career saves (297), shutouts (nine) and victories (16), despite only playing three seasons, as she missed her freshman year due to injury. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology from Post University in 2014, White went on to serve as a professional soccer coach for the Evolution Soccer Program, which supports Youth Soccer Organizations in meeting their goals for long-term success. White coached a variety of levels from U5-U19, while also providing coach education courses for AYSO coaches.

Originally from Leeds, England, White is married to her husband, Gage, and resides in Evansville. While at UE, she has earned her Master’s degree in Public Service Administration, posting a 3.95 grade point average. In her spare time, she is an avid soccer fan, and is an ardent supporter of Leeds United.

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Robbe Tarver

Robbe Tarver enters his first season as interim head coach after being promoted in Spring 2023. It marks the fourth overall season for Tarver on the Aces coaching staff, having spent three season as assistant coach and associate head coach since joining in January 2020.

Prior to UE, Tarver spent three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Louisville men's soccer program under current head coach John Michael Hayden and former head coach Ken Lolla. At Louisville, Tarver assisted in opposition scouting, daily operations of training, recruiting organization and travel coordination.

Previous to joining the Cardinals, Tarver served as the assistant coach for three seasons at his alma mater, Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. During his tenure at Centre, Tarver served as the recruiting coordinator, and helped the Colonels capture their first Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Tournament Championship and the program's sixth conference championship crown overall in 2016.

In his playing career, Tarver was a 2x captain for the Colonels, achieving all-conference and all-region honors. He was invited to the USL Combine in 2014 and spent a season playing in Costa Rica for JuventudEscazuceña.

What Others Are Saying About Robbe Tarver

"I am so exited for Robbe and this opportunity. He has been such an instrumental piece to the recent success we have have had here at Louisville. Evansville is fortunate to be gathering such a quality individual and I look forward to seeing him continue to grow further in this profession" - John Michael Hayden, Head Men's Soccer Coach, University of Louisville

"Robbe Tarver was a tremendous asset to our program throughout his time at Louisville. His tireless work ethic and strong character were the cornerstones of his impact. Robbe will be a great addition to Evansville and will help continue the strong tradition of the program."

- Ken Lolla, Former Head Men's Soccer Coach, University of Louisville

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Matt Melzer

Matt Melzer joins UE after a successful stint as the assistant coach at Transylvania University, while Toney Anderson comes to Evansville as a graduate assistant after coaching at Concordia University (WI) and FC United in MLS Next.

Matt Melzer enters his first season as assistant coach for the Purple Aces after being hired in the Spring of 2023.

Prior to joining UE, Melzer spent four seasons as assistant coach at his alma mater, Transylvania University. At Transylvania, Melzer had a major role in recruiting, running training sessions and organizing ID Camps. Through personal development plans, Melzer mentored 24 players to all conference awards. Melzer has been a vital part of the men's soccer program for 8 of the last 10 years as a player and a coach. He has been part of 76 wins over those 8 years (one of which was the shortened Covid season).

As a player, Melzer received the most impactful freshman award, and finished his career as captain with all-conference honors and he was named Transylvania's MVP. During his four years playing with Transylvania, the Pioneers produced a record of 44 wins against 18 losses and 14 draws. In addition to his on-field accolades, he also served as president of Transylvania's Student Athlete Advisory Committee his senior year and received the Senior Leadership Award among all male student-athletes.

"We are excited to have Matt join our staff. He knows how to operate at a liberal arts institution like Evansville, and he has experience developing a successful culture and successful student-athletes at Transy," said Tarver. "He's a relentless recruiter who is willing to leave no stone unturned. As good of a coach as Matt is, he's a better person. He's going to have a big impact here at UE."

What others are saying about Matt Melzer:

"This move is so well deserved. Melzer is a great coach. His willingness to work hard and ability to connect with people are second to none. The buzz around the program would not be where it is today without his efforts. I am very fortunate to have worked with him in my first year as a head coach. We are all sad to see him leave, but excited to see what he accomplishes next."

- Ben Federici, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Transylvania University

"Melzer is one of the best leaders and people I know. He is hard-working, principled and cares deeply about the people he coaches and works with. No matter where he has been, Matt always finds ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. He is a tremendous hire and an asset to any program lucky enough to have him."

- Matt Vogel, Former Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Transylvania University.