PHILADELPHIA -- Nicole Van Dyke, Stanford’s associate head coach, has been named head coach at University of Pennsylvania.
Van Dyke spent four seasons at Stanford, helping the Cardinal to the 2011 NCAA title, three College Cup appearances, and two Pac-12 championships. Stanford went a combined 81-10-6 in that span.
At Penn, she replaces Darren Ambrose, who took the Quakers to three NCAA tournaments in 15 seasons before taking the head job at Vanderbilt.
“We would like to thank Nicole for her contribution to Stanford women's soccer,” Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe said. “She has been a great asset to our program during the last four years. We wish Nicole the best of luck with her new opportunity at University of Pennsylvania.”
The Cardinal produced eight All-America players, including 2011 Hermann Trophy winner Teresa Noyola, 19 NSCAA Pacific Region selections, and 26 players who received All-Pac 12 recognition. In addition, Stanford’s 2015 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, and the Cardinal had the consensus national freshman of the year last fall in midfielder Andi Sullivan.
Stanford’s winning percentage of .866 over the past four years was the second-highest among any school and the highest among 2014 College Cup teams. In addition, Stanford’s differential of 71 victories over .500 was the highest in the nation during that span.
In addition to its excellence on the field, Stanford has excelled in the classroom – Stanford has had 42 selections to the Pac-12 All-Academic team in the past four years. Nine were drafted by Women’s Professional Soccer or the National Women’s Soccer League, including three in the most recent NWSL draft. Seven already have played professionally, including three with full national teams.
This is the second NCAA Division I head coaching position for Van Dyke, who guided Cal State Bakersfield from 2006-10. She earned her first collegiate head-coaching job, at Cal State Stanislaus, when she was 23.
“The four years I have spent at Stanford have been incredible and I am grateful to have worked with such amazing administration, staff, coaches and players,” Van Dyke said. “Coaching some of the most talented student-athletes in the country and being a part of their development into not only excellent soccer players but tremendous women has been such a joy.
“Paul has been a wonderful mentor and friend and it has been a privilege to have been a part of some very special moments here with Stanford soccer. I wish Paul, (assistant coach) Hideki (Nakada) and the players continued success and will always have a soft spot for The Farm.”
Van Dyke spent four seasons at Stanford, helping the Cardinal to the 2011 NCAA title, three College Cup appearances, and two Pac-12 championships. Stanford went a combined 81-10-6 in that span.
At Penn, she replaces Darren Ambrose, who took the Quakers to three NCAA tournaments in 15 seasons before taking the head job at Vanderbilt.
“We would like to thank Nicole for her contribution to Stanford women's soccer,” Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe said. “She has been a great asset to our program during the last four years. We wish Nicole the best of luck with her new opportunity at University of Pennsylvania.”
The Cardinal produced eight All-America players, including 2011 Hermann Trophy winner Teresa Noyola, 19 NSCAA Pacific Region selections, and 26 players who received All-Pac 12 recognition. In addition, Stanford’s 2015 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, and the Cardinal had the consensus national freshman of the year last fall in midfielder Andi Sullivan.
Stanford’s winning percentage of .866 over the past four years was the second-highest among any school and the highest among 2014 College Cup teams. In addition, Stanford’s differential of 71 victories over .500 was the highest in the nation during that span.
In addition to its excellence on the field, Stanford has excelled in the classroom – Stanford has had 42 selections to the Pac-12 All-Academic team in the past four years. Nine were drafted by Women’s Professional Soccer or the National Women’s Soccer League, including three in the most recent NWSL draft. Seven already have played professionally, including three with full national teams.
This is the second NCAA Division I head coaching position for Van Dyke, who guided Cal State Bakersfield from 2006-10. She earned her first collegiate head-coaching job, at Cal State Stanislaus, when she was 23.
“The four years I have spent at Stanford have been incredible and I am grateful to have worked with such amazing administration, staff, coaches and players,” Van Dyke said. “Coaching some of the most talented student-athletes in the country and being a part of their development into not only excellent soccer players but tremendous women has been such a joy.
“Paul has been a wonderful mentor and friend and it has been a privilege to have been a part of some very special moments here with Stanford soccer. I wish Paul, (assistant coach) Hideki (Nakada) and the players continued success and will always have a soft spot for The Farm.”
