DELHI, N.Y. (July 28, 2021) - A new era of SUNY Delhi Women's Soccer arrives this fall with the appointment of Zach Ward as the team's new head coach. Ward brings to the Broncos a familiar knowledge of their competition in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), recently serving as the assistant women's soccer coach at Maine Maritime Academy that won the 2019 NAC Championship. Ward inherits a Broncos program that totaled 20 wins and back-to-back conference tournament appearances during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
"On behalf of the Athletics Department, I am very pleased to introduce Zach Ward as our next Head Women's Soccer Coach," said Director of Athletics Bob Backus. "He brings a great deal of Soccer experience and knowledge to SUNY Delhi and I'm confident that our Women's Soccer program will continue to flourish as we venture into our first full year of NCAA Division III active membership. Go Broncos!"
About Zach Ward
"I am so grateful for this opportunity that has been given to me to lead the Women's Soccer program at SUNY Delhi. I want to thank Mr. Backus and the rest of the search committee for their time throughout the hiring process. It is an exciting time in all of athletics as we get ready to venture into our first season as full NCAA Division 3 members. I am looking forward to being back in the North Atlantic Conference and competing in-conference and in-region. It is my goal to bring my enthusiasm and passion for the game each day and see women's soccer continue to grow at Delhi. I am anxious to get started and cannot wait to work with my players, fellow coaches, alums, and the community. Let's get to work."
Ward spent the last year serving as the assistant coach at WVU Potomac State. Prior to that he was an assistant at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Me. from 2017 to 2019. The Mariners won 31 games in that span, including 13 victories and the top seed on their way to the 2019 NAC Championship. This, coincidentally, featured two hard-fought, one-goal triumphs over SUNY Delhi, with the latter coming in the NAC Semifinals. Ward coached two conference players of the year, two defensive players of the year and multiple all-conference selections as well as the program's all-time leading goal scorer. The team set program records in 2019 for wins (13) and shutouts (11). During this time, Ward also coached at Seacoast United Soccer Club in nearby Orono, Me., sending players on to the Division I, II, and III levels.
The native of Cumberland, Md. graduated from Fort Hill High School in 2008 and earned a Bachelor's degree from Robert Morris University in Sport Management. Upon earning his Master's degree from McDaniel College in Exercise Science/Physical Education in 2013, Ward was the Athletic Director at Calvary Christian Academy from 2013 to 2017, also serving as the boys and girls soccer coach. His boys teams combined for 54 wins, including back-to-back Mason Dixon Christian Conference titles in 2013 and 2014. The girls won 29 games and a pair of third-place conference finishes in 2013 and 2014. His squads even earned state semifinals appearances in 2013 and 2015.
Ward holds an Advanced National Diploma with United Soccer Coaches and Level I/II/III Goalkeeping Diploma, as well as United States Soccer Federation D License. He is working towards his Premier Diploma with United Soccer Coaches.
