The 2015 campaign marked Mike Webber’s eleventh as commander of the Allegheny women’s soccer team, and his skill as a tactician and recruiter has allowed the Gators to remain a regional power.
In 2014, the Gators finished 15-6 overall, marking the most wins in a season for the squad since 2003. With a 7-1 regular season conference record, the Gators finished as co-champions of the North Coast Athletic Conference, before advancing to the finals of the NCAC championship tournament. The team also received an at-large berth into the NCAA Division III National Tournament, marking the second consecutive season, and third time in five years, in which the squad competed in the national playoffs. Senior defender Jaymee Wallace was named the NCAC’s Defensive Player of the Year, and was one of three Gators named First Team All-NCAC, joining sophomore forward Jessie Thiessen and junior midfielder Hannah Zangara. The Gators also had a pair of players named Honorable Mention All-NCAC, including junior midfielder Niki Augustine and senior goalkeeper Gabby Curtis, who led the conference in shutouts (12) and goals-against average (0.89). Webber also garnered attention after becoming just the second coach in program history to eclipse the 100-win plateau when the Gatotrs topped Ohio Wesleyan on Homecoming.
In 2013, the Gators enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in program history, earning a share of the NCAC regular season title before sweeping the NCAC tournament to earn the fourth conference championship in program history and advance to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Webber earned NCAC Coach of the Year honors, and saw six of his players earn All-Conference recognition, highlighted by First Team selections Alison Buzzard and Jessie Thiessen. Buzzard, a senior midfielder, went on to earn NSCAA All-Region recognition, while Thiessen, who ended the season as the NCAC’s leading scorer, was voted the conference’s Newcomer of the Year.
In 2012, the Gators topped the .500 mark for the fifth straight season, and seventh time in Webber’s eight years at the helm of the program. Five players earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors, as senior midfielder Ashley Lehr was a First Team selection, sophomore defender Sam Hoderlein and sophomore forward Emma Loniewski each Second Team honorees, and junior midfielder Michelle Holcomb and senior defender Chyna Strickland earning Honorable Mention laurels.
In 2011, the Gators closed with double-digit wins for the third consecutive year (11-5-3) while earning a share of the 2011 North Coast Ahletic Conference regular season crown. Paced by an outstanding defensive unit that yielded just eight goals all season, the Gators finished in the nation’s top 10 for goals against average and shutout percentage. Center back Kira Kliment served in the starring role and became the 11th player in team history - and first since 2003 - to earn All-America honors. Goalkeeper Emily Karr also flourished under Webber’s tutelage. Finishing the year with a single-season program record 14 shutouts, Karr’s career total of 43 clean sheets marked the fourth-highest total in NCAA Division III history.
In 2010, Allegheny made its third appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament after receiving a coveted at-large bid. The Gators kicked off the slate with a school-record 10 consecutive shutouts and tied a team record with their highest national ranking (No. 16) during the season. Early in the campaign, Allegheny captured the prestigious Mayor’s Cup Tournament Championship, which is the longest running college soccer tournament in the nation. The club finished the year 14-3-4 and boasted the best regular-season winning percentage in team history. On the heels of its banner season, Allegheny collected six All-Conference accolades and were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) with a National Team Academic Award.
That success continued the re-tooling of the previous campaign in which the Gators enjoyed their best season since winning the NCAC Championship in 2003. The Blue and Gold finished 11-6-2 overall and secured third place amid the tough conference slate for the second consecutive season. At the end of the season, seven Allegheny players were named to the All-Conference teams, while the team’s inspiring play set the stage for a bright future.
While the Gators have enjoyed quite a run of succcess on the field under Webber, they have also been repeatedly recognized for their performance in the classroom. The team has received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Team Academic Award in each of the past five seasons, recognizing teams who achieve a grade poinot average of 3.0 or higher. Following the 2013 season, 10 Allegheny women’s soccer players were named to the NCAC’s Academic Honor Roll, recognizing student-athletes of at least sophomore status with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Prior to coming to Allegheny, Webber was the head women’s coach at Worcester State from 2001-04, leading the Lancers to three conference tournament appearances. In 2004, he led Worcester to a school record tying 12 wins, including a victory over 12th-ranked Lynchburg College. That squad went on to capture the first MASCAC Tournament championship in school history and received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Overall, Webber finished with a 33-31-5 record at Worcester, ranking him second all-time on the school’s win list.
Along with his women’s coaching duties, Webber was an assistant for the Lancer men’s team, which won four conference titles during his time and made three appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, advancing as far as the Sweet 16. He was in charge of the goalkeepers, who allowed just 79 goals in 92 matches (0.86 goals per game) and posted 34 shutouts in four years.
In addition to his collegiate background, Webber coached Sutton High School to a 53-22- 8 record from 1997 to 2000, including a share of the 1997 state title. He also coached the Sutton Fuller Hamlets in the Premier Division of Region 1 from 1999 to 2004, leading the squad to four semifinal appearances in the State Cup.
Webber was quite familiar with the Worcester area, as he played and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. A 1988 graduate with a degree in political science, Webber was a four-year starter in goal for the Crusaders. A three-time team MVP, he ranks first at the school in career and season save percentage and in career saves. Webber also ranked second in both career goals against average and single-season shutouts. Webber currently resides in Meadville with his wife Tammy and their three children, Mackenzie, Cade and Shae.
