Women's soccer coach wins 200th game at SRU

Slippery Rock University women's soccer coach Noreen Herlihy recorded her 200th career win in their 2-0 win over Bloomsburg University on Sept. 30.

Herlihy was named head coach of the women's soccer team back in 1995, and is currently in the middle of her 17th season at the Rock.

"I am very proud to be a part of this program," Herlihy said. "We have a tradition of success here, and as long as I see that hunger in the girls to succeed, I'm going to keep driving to see my athletes excel."

Since 1996, Herlihy has led her squad to 15 consecutive winning seasons. That season, she received the honor of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "coach of the year."

In 1997, SRU asked Herlihy to accept the challenging job as head coach of the men's program as well.

"It was a transition period for the team," Herlihy said. "They asked me to rebuild the men's program and help get it back on track."

She served as dual-team coach for four seasons, and in 2001, she focused her attention back to the women's team.

Since 2001, the women's soccer team has averaged 13.2 wins in each season.  They've made seven PSAC playoff appearances.

The team also has made it to the NCAA tournament six times, captured three PSAC season titles and two PSAC tournament championships.

The women's soccer team earned their first trip to the NCAA regional tournament in 2001 and was the beginning of successful things to come for Herlihy.

The Rock won the opening round of the tournament, and earned a spot in the regional final in their first trip to the national playoffs.

In 2003, SRU captured the PSAC regular season and playoff championships, as well as earning a second trip to the NCAA postseason.

Herlihy received her second PSAC "coach of the year" honor during this season. She was also named as the NSCAA regional "coach of the year."

In 2007, the women's soccer team won a school record of 17 games, winning the third PSAC season title and making it to the NCAA regional playoffs for the second season in a row. They reached the NCAA championships for the third consecutive season the following year.

The 2010 season was one to remember as the Rock made it to the semifinals of the PSAC tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

SRU defeated West Virginia Wesleyan in the first round of the NCAA tourney before losing in the second round to California University on penalty kicks. This season was another record-breaker for the ladies as they had a 15-game unbeaten streak.

In her time at SRU, Herlihy has coached four players who have earned NCAA all-American recognition, a pair of first-team selections, 19 all-region players, a two-time PSAC "athlete of the year" and 34 student athletes earning all-PSAC acclaim.

Herlihy doesn't take the credit of 200 wins for herself.

"This is by no means a solo effort," Herlihy said. "I couldn't have done it alone. It's a combination of work from everyone, my fantastic assistant coaches, and of course, the young women on the team. 200 wins is a great accomplishment, but it all comes from the excellent players who have played here at SRU."

After winning Wednesday's game against Edinboro University, Herlihy now has 202 career wins at SRU.

Junior Marissa Anderson appreciates all that Herlihy has done for her and her teammates.

"We're lucky to have a coach that cares as much about us off the field as on," Anderson said. "She is stern with us when we need a kick, but she is comforting on a bad day when we need the confidence. I speak for myself and the rest of my teammates when I say we couldn't ask for a better coach."