McDermott Named Associate Head Coach
June 26, 2007 | Soccer
June 26, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced Tuesday the promotion of Marcia McDermott to associate head coach. Entering her second season with the Illini, McDermott serves as a valuable part of the Illini coaching staff with her on-field expertise and her recruiting prowess.
"To have a coach with Marcia McDermott's experience, knowledge, and ability as part of your staff is remarkable," Rayfield said. "She has provided insight, leadership, and information to the athletes, to me and to this department that have continued to move this program forward."
McDermott joined the Illinois coaching staff in the summer of 2006 and immediately put her mark on an Illini team that went 16-8-0 and reached the NCAA Round of 16 for just the second time in school history. Under her tutelage, the offense averaged 1.75 goals per game.
"Not only is she incredible at developing the talented student-athletes in our program, but she is also very adept at identifying talent and has been a key for us in recruiting," Rayfield said. "It is only fitting that we publicly recognize the role and impact she has had and will continue to have on this program."
McDermott and assistant coach Leisha Alcia join Rayfield for an upcoming 2007 campaign that features nine returning starters, including All-Americans Ella Masar and Emily Zurrer. The season kicks off with a pair of home exhibition matches Aug. 24 and 26 against Butler and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively, before the Illini host Missouri on Aug. 31 and Xavier on Sept. 2 to open the regular season.
