Clark University

Clark University Athletics
950 Main Street Worcester, MA 01610

Division 3 Massachusetts Northeast

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Matt O'Toole

Matt O’Toole, now entering his 12th season at Clark University in 2022-23, has methodically put together his plan that has the Cougars' on an ascension towards the top of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) - widely considered one of the nation's elite Division III men's soccer conferences.

In addition to his role in leading the Scarlet and White on the field, O'Toole now serves as the department's liaison to the Admissions Office and as the United Soccer Coaches Association Scholar All-America Committee National Chair.

Over the last two seasons, O'Toole has brought the Cougars to back-to-back NEWMAC post-season appearances. In 2016 and 2017 the Cougars were semifinalists in post-season play and finished 2017 with a 9-6-4 overall record. Connor Maguire (2018) and Sean Munroe (2020) were both named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team and named to the New England Soccer Journal Best XI's Third Team in 2017.

During his first three seasons at the helm of the Cougars, he replenished the roster with newcomers all the while developing a pair of first-team all-conference performers (Will Van Noppen, 2012 and Oscar Zapata, 2013, 2014).

In 2013, Clark captured the Worcester City Tournament title and won the program's first league contest since 2010. O'Toole's squad posted three shutouts but were also snake-bitten, dropping four matches by a goal. In his first campaign in 2012, O'Toole led Clark to an 8-10 overall record, including a pair of dramatic double-overtime wins along the way, deftly integrating several newcomers with a strong veteran core.

In 2016, O'Toole led the Cougars to an impressive 14-5 campaign and 4-3 (3rd place) finish in the NEWMAC. The Cougars were ranked consistently in the top 10 in New England and O'Toole was named NEWMAC Coach of the Year.

A former assistant at one of the most successful programs in the country with extensive ties to New England, he was named to his current position on February 21, 2012.

O’Toole brought with him an impressive resume of accomplishments and accolades and was most recently an assistant coach at Amherst College, the nation’s tenth ranked Division III program in 2011. While with Lord Jeffs, O’Toole helped guide them to both the NESCAC regular season and tournament championships and the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Thanks in part to his tutelage, the 2011 Lord Jeffs led the NESCAC in 14 different statistical categories, including all 8 offensive rankings – news that should bode well for future Clark soccer teams.

Prior to Amherst, O’Toole was the head coach at Bridgewater College in Virginia for two seasons (2009 and 2010), where he recruited a trio of all-conference performers, as well as battled with 2010 NCAA Finalist, Lynchburg College, and traditional Mid-Atlantic powers Virginia Wesleyan, Roanoke and North Carolina Wesleyan.

O’Toole has spent time at the Division I ranks, serving as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond for five seasons (2004-08). While on the Spider sidelines, he helped lead Richmond to the Atlantic-10 semifinals in 2006 and in competition against some of the strongest Division I programs in the country.

No stranger to the NEWMAC, O’Toole actually got his start at league rival Wheaton where he helped guide the Lyons to a NEWMAC regular season (2002) and conference tournament title (2003) in his two seasons. Wheaton compiled a 34-8-2 overall record during his stay and advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 2003 – a season in which they won 19 games.

O’Toole also brings with him an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and USSF “B” coaching license and a lengthy pedigree of club and camp coaching experience.

Following a stellar four-year career Providence College that saw him start 64 of 65 games and earn All-New England honors, O’Toole was invited to train with three different Major League Soccer clubs, as well as with Bohemians FC of the Eircom Premier League of Ireland.

A native of Norwell, Mass. and 2001 graduate of Providence College with a degree in marketing. O’Toole completed his master’s degree in Sports Leadership at Northeastern University in the summer of 2013.

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Bryant Nardizzi

Clark University head men's soccer coach Matt O'Toole announced the addition of Bryant Nardizzi as an assistant coach to his staff.

"We are excited to add Bryant to the men's soccer staff for this Fall," said O'Toole. "I've known Bryant and his family for a while, he was a tremendous college player and will add both experience and energy to our team."

Nardizzi arrives in Worcester after spending this past year as an assistant coach at Framingham State. The Rams went unbeaten in conference play, reached the MASCAC Tournament Semifinal, and posted an 11-5-3 overall record. At Framingham State, Nardizzi was responsible for running training sessions, recruiting, creating the offseason training program, and other duties as assigned.

Nardizzi is currently the head coach of New England Futbol Club (NEFC) MetroWest Region out of Northborough. In his role, he coaches four youth teams and runs training sessions that align with the club ideas for player development.

Prior to entering coaching, Nardizzi was a professional soccer player for the Michigan Stars of the National Independent Soccer Association for a season during the 2021 campaign. Nardizzi graduated from Framingham State in 2020 and helped the Rams earn a MASCAC Championship in 2019.

Outside of coaching, Nardizzi has also worked for the Constable's Office in Framingham as a process server and was a substitute teacher in the Framingham Public School System.