MIAMI (August 6, 2018) –
– FIU women's soccer head coach
Sharolta Nonen announced the hiring of
Sarah Chapman as assistant coach on Monday, officially rounding out the coaching staff before the start of the 2018 season.
"We are very excited to have a player and coach of
Sarah Chapman's caliber and quality on our staff," Nonen said of the hire. "Sarah's knowledge and experience in the game of soccer has already made an important and positive impact on our team. We look forward to many great seasons with Sarah guiding our young players both on and off the field."
Chapman joins the Panthers after spending the past three seasons as Averett University's (Virginia) head coach.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the FIU women's soccer program," Chapman said. "I want to thank Sharolta for giving me this opportunity to be on the staff. I am very excited for the future and working with this team."
Chapman, who enjoyed a stellar player career as a Florida Gator, earned 16 wins with the Averett Cougars in her three seasons with the squad. Chapman was tasked with taking over a young roster, which she coached to the USA South Conference Tournament semifinals in 2016. Overall, Chapman coached three players to USA South All-Conference honors during her tenure with the Cougars.
Chapman came to Averett from Stony Brook University, where she served as an assistant for one season. Prior to that, she was the U17 girls' soccer assistant coach for two years at the Shattuck-St. Mary's Soccer Center of Excellence, one of the top soccer development academies in the country.
Additionally, Chapman gained valuable coaching experience working the UF soccer camps from 2008-12, serving as assistant camp director in 2012. Chapman also served as a student-assistant coach for the Gators and worked as the head coach of a U15 girls' State Cup club in Florida. She has received her NSCAA National and Advanced National Diplomas in coaching.
During her four-year playing career at Florida, the Gators captured the Southeastern Conference crown three times and won the SEC Tournament in 2010, while also appearing in the NCAA Tournament all four seasons. Chapman was named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week and was also voted SEC Freshman of the Week as a player.
Prior to her time at Florida, Chapman was a highly-touted prep star out of Silver Spring, Maryland, where she earned all-conference, all-state and Parade All-American accolades at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. She was also a member of the Bethesda Extreme Soccer Club and Freestate Shooters, where she won Maryland State Tournament and State Cup titles. Chapman also competed for the Maryland State ODP team and Region I team, winning Regional Championships as well as a National Championship in 2006. In addition, she gained experience with the U.S. national team as a member of the U-16 and U-18 national team player pool, and she represented the U-16 national team in Holland for three matches during the spring of 2006.
The Panthers will open the 2018 season at home against Stetson on Friday, August 17 at 7 p.m. from the FIU Soccer Stadium.
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