UAlbany Hires Caitlin Colfer As Head Women’s Soccer Coach
ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, July 25 the hiring of Caitlin Colfer as head women’s soccer coach. Colfer was previously a head coach for one season at The Sage Colleges.
“I am pleased to announce that Caitlin Colfer has accepted my offer to become the next head Women’s Soccer Coach at UAlbany. Caitlin has a strong background and broad experience in every aspect of women’s collegiate soccer,” said McElroy. “We are excited that Caitlin will bring passion, energy and integrity as she provides leadership for the 2013 women’s soccer team at UAlbany. I look forward to working with Caitlin as she fosters a culture of excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.”
The Sage Colleges Gators finished 6-8 overall and 4-4-1 in the Skyline Conference with Colfer at the helm. Under Colfer’s tutelage, forward Nicole Maher was selected as the conference’s Rookie of the Year. Also honored, were freshman midfielder, Kelsey Woron, and senior defender, Rachel Wampler, as second team selections.
“Being a head coach at The Sage Colleges was a time for me to grow as a coach,” said newly hired women’s soccer head coach Caitlin Colfer. I was able to make my own decisions and run my program the way I saw fit. Transferring over to Division I level, having played at that level, will be a challenge but I feel that I am prepared to begin the journey.”
During her one year stint at Sage, Colfer earned her National “A” license from the U.S. Soccer federation. The National “A” License course is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted toward coaching older players (college level and pro level players). The National “A” License focuses on recognizing the principles of the game and its technical applications in 11v11 game format and how these principles influence positional, group and team organization. The course also examines player, team and game management issues as they relate to the pro level player.
“I have always wanted to be a Division I head coach and to be given the opportunity to take on the responsibility as head coach for the University at Albany is a great privilege and honor,” said Colfer.
Outside of coaching, Colfer has played at the highest level of women’s soccer for the past three years. In 2011, she played for the ASA Chesapeake Charge in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. Colfer led the Charge to the ASA Eastern Regional Championship (Region I).
The Baltimore, Md. native excelled as a Division I scholarship performer at The Ohio State University from 2005-09. During her time, she accrued 11 career assists and ranked 13th all-time for career assists for the program when she graduated. Off the field, she garnered four OSU Scholar-Athlete Awards, and in 2007 and 2008 she was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, as well as a NSCAA/adidas Second Team All-Academic honoree in 2007.
Colfer earned her Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family science from The Ohio State University in 2009, and attained a master of education degree in athletic program leadership and administration from Goucher College in 2011.
Colfer and the Great Danes begin their search for the program’s first America East Conference title, starting on Friday, August 23at Florida Atlantic.
