Salve Regina University

100 Ochre Point Avenue - Newport, RI 02840 Newport, RI 02840

Division 3 Rhode Island Northeast

Private Small Not categorized

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Coaches

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Craig O'Rourke II

Craig O’Rourke II returns in 2022 for his 16th year at the helm of the Salve Regina men's soccer program. A two-time conference Coach of the Year honoree (2018, 2019), O’Rourke has compiled an overall record of 142-98-31 while guiding the Seahawks to 12 conference tournament appearances in the past 13 seasons. His teams have earned the 2018 and 2019 conference regular-season titles, the 2012 and 2019 CCC Championships, NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2019, as well as an ECAC Championship semifinal in 2010. At the same time, O'Rourke has also helped the team succeed in the classroom, earning the United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award 11 times including a current streak of eight-consecutive awards.

The 2021 edition of Salve Regina men’s soccer went 12-6-3 on the season en route to a runner-up finish in the conference tournament. In 2019, the team compiled one of the best records in school history as the Seahawks went 14-4-4 and swept both the regular season and conference tournament crowns. At season’s end, they had two players (Evan MacDonald, Casey Kelly) named All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. O'Rourke's 2018 team went the entire regular season undefeated (15-0-3) and rose as high as #14 in the national polls. That team also set a multitude of school records including goals in a season (62), assists in a season (56), and goal differential (+43). Additionally, the 2018 side led the entire region with five All-New England selections as well as an All-American honoree (Donald Igo). His 2017 side went 11-5-3 and reestablished the program as one of the dominant possession-based teams in New England. That season, Jordan Elster became the first All-American in program history. O'Rourke's 2012 team (16-6-1) set the 'Gold Standard' for the program as, in addition to the conference title and automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Division III National Championships, the Seahawks set a multitude of new school records including wins in a season (16).

Prior to his appointment as men's soccer coach at Salve Regina, O'Rourke served as the head coach for four years at Bridgton Academy, a post-graduate prep school in Maine. While at Bridgton, O'Rourke led the men's soccer program to two NEPSSA Class 'A' Soccer Final Fours (2004, 2005) while compiling a record of 57-16-7 (.756). His teams also won four consecutive MAISAD conference championships. In 2004, the team compiled the best record in school history at 19-3-0 and established a New England prep school record for goals in a season (122).

Before going to Bridgton, O'Rourke served as an assistant with the Roger Williams University men's soccer program, where he helped guide the Hawks to three consecutive conference championships and three NCAA tournament berths (1999-2001). In his five years at Roger Williams, the team compiled an overall record of 75-29-4 (.713) while posting a conference record of 55-6-1 (.895).

O'Rourke is a 1997 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he earned his bachelor's degree in biology/pre-medicine while playing for the men's soccer program. While at WPI, he was twice selected to all-tournament and all-conference teams. After college, he turned down a contract offer to play professional indoor soccer in order to pursue his education. In 2001, he graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Master's in Business Administration.

O'Rourke holds both an Advanced National Coaching Diploma and an Advanced Level II Goalkeeping Diploma from the NSCAA as well as a National 'B' Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). He was also a licensed referee and officiated at the U.S. Youth Soccer regional and national championships as well as serving on the USL professional referees list. O'Rourke currently holds memberships in the United Soccer Coaches, U.S. Soccer Coaches Organization, and USSF Referees Association. From 2010 to 2014, O’Rourke served as the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s chair on the NSCAA Regional Rankings Committee and then in 2015, he was appointed to the NCAA Regional Advisory Council for men’s soccer. In addition to his men's soccer coaching duties, O'Rourke also serves as the coordinator of compliance, academics and eligibility, for the university's department of athletics.

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Evan MacDonald

Evan MacDonald returns to Salve Regina men's soccer in the role of first assistant. One of the most decorated players in program history, MacDonald played for the Seahawks from 2016 to 2019, serving as team captain in his senior season. A two-time first team All-Conference selection (2018, 2019), MacDonald was named second team All-Region following the 2018 season where he not only helped the team to an undefeated regular season record (15-0-3), but also set the program’s single season record for assists (17), finishing second in all of NCAA Division III men’s soccer in the statistic. In 2019, he led the program to a 14-4-4 mark as they swept both the regular season and tournament titles and returned to the NCAA Division III National Championships. That season, he was named first team All-Region before earning the program’s highest ever individual accomplishment – being selected Second Team All-American.

Widely regarded as one of the best players to ever wear the blue, white, and green for Salve Regina men’s soccer, MacDonald has set a multitude of program records including assists in a game (three - tied), assists in a season (17), and assists in a career (37). He currently ranks fifth all-time in total points (69) and accumulated 45 wins in a Salve Regina uniform over his four-year career.

“Having Evan join our staff this year is a tremendous asset for me and a huge boost for our roster,” comments 16-year head coach Craig O’Rourke II. “Evan’s soccer IQ is one of the best that I have ever coached and his ability to see the game and communicate his experience and expertise to our central midfielders and strikers will really benefit our entire roster.”