Jen Simonetti has been appointed interim head women's soccer coach for the 2010 season. Simonetti becomes the fifth head coach in the 23-year history of the program.
"Jen's playing background and coaching philosophy make her a great fit for our women's program," Athletics Director Larry Hiser said. "She has the full support of the department, and we are excited to watch as she leads the women's soccer team to success in all aspects of the program."
Simonetti was originally hired as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs in August of 2009. In addition to helping to coordinate the planning and execution of practices and games, she developed and oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for both squads and served as the primary recruiter for the women's team.
"I want to thank Mr. Hiser for the opportunity to lead the women's program here at Marietta College, Simonetti said. "We are very fortunate to have a strong nucleus of hard working young women on the team. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to representing the College in a positive manner both on and off the field."
Simonetti brought an experienced coaching background to Marietta. Prior to joining the Pioneer program, she spent three years as an assistant with the Waynesville High School boy’s soccer team. While with the Spartans, Simonetti was named the Miami Valley Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. Simonetti also served as the girl’s Varsity Track and Field Coach at Waynesville from 2006-09. Before Waynesville, she was the assistant for the girl’s soccer team at Bellbrook High School.
In addition to her time at Waynesville and Bellbrook, Simonetti coached the Metro FC in Kettering, Ohio. She also worked as a camp clinician with various teams in the area around Dayton, Ohio, and now does the same in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Simonetti, who earned her United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “D” license in 2010, is the Girls Director of Coaching for the River Valley Soccer Club and assists with the ‘97 women’s team for West Virginia’s Olympic Development Program.
Simonetti, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science from the University Dayton in 2005, carries a solid playing resume. She was a four-year starter for Dayton from 2001-04. The defender/center midfielder helped the Flyers win four Atlantic 10 Regular Season titles and three A-10 Tournament Championships during her time on the field. As a freshman, Simonetti earned All-Atlantic10 and All-Great Lakes Region honors as Dayton made the NCAA Sweet 16. She repeated All-Atlantic 10 honors as a sophomore and earned both awards again as a senior when she was also named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and SoccerBuzz both voted Simonetti an All-America selection in 2004.
Simonetti started as an outside defender for the Cincinnati LadyHawks of the United States Women’s Soccer League in 2003. In 2008, she also participated in the USASA Elite Player Program in San Bernardino, Calif.
Simonetti live in Marietta.
