Story courtesy UNHWildcats.com
DURHAM, N.H. – Sam Lopes has been hired as
the University of New Hampshire women’s soccer head coach effective immediately
as announced Tuesday by Athletics Director Marty Scarano, who also served as
chairperson of the search committee.
“We are excited to announce the hiring of
Sam Lopes as our head coach for women’s soccer,” Scarano said. “Sam is a
bright, knowledgeable, promising young coach who has put his time in at
the assistant level. He shares a great vision for our program and is going to
be relentless in establishing a soccer program of distinction at UNH.”
“This search has been a very thoughtful
and thorough process and I want to commend the search committee on their
dedication in identifying just the right person for this program. We know as
soon as Sam starts we will be headed in a new exciting direction with a real
sense of urgency,” he added.
Lopes, who has over 11 years
of women’s soccer coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level,
has a broad-based coaching résumé including, most recently, serving as the top
assistant at BIG EAST member Providence College.
“I am both excited and honored to accept
the head coach position at the University of New Hampshire,” Lopes said. “I
would like to thank Marty Scarano, the search committee and the entire athletic
department for allowing me the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program
at this great institution. I am humbled by their trust in my leadership and
together we will build upon the tradition, pride and excellence which exists
within the history of UNH athletics.”
Lopes recently concluded his second season at PC. In his
first season with the Friars, Lopes assisted the team to their first BIG EAST
Tournament game since 1994. Providence then defeated Rutgers, 1-0, to advance
to the quarterfinals. He also helped coach Jenna Roncarati to her third
consecutive All-BIG EAST honors. At Providence, Lopes assisted with recruiting,
scouting, travel and budgeting, as well as monitor academic progress and
planning team training and individual workouts.
Prior to his arrival in Providence, Lopes was the head assistant
women's coach at Southern Connecticut State University from 2005-2011. He was
highly involved in recruiting, planning off-season training and helped
establish the Freshman Athletic Scholastic Training (F.A.S.T.) academic
program.
Lopes, a 2002 graduate of Quinnipiac University, received a
bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems. He was a four-year member of
the soccer team and was a captain during his senior season. After playing at Quinnipiac,
Lopes went on to play in the United States Soccer Leagues for the Connecticut
Wolves and the Westchester Flames.
He began his coaching career in 2002 as an assistant at Saint Joseph
College in West Hartford, Conn. Additionally, Lopes served as an
assistant coach with the Boston Breakers (2010-11), Quickstrike Lady Blues
(2009) and New England Mutiny (2007-08).