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University of Akron

University of Akron Dept of IC Athletics
 James A. Rhodes Arena Akron, OH 44325
Division 1 Ohio Midwest
Public Large National competitor
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Coaches

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Jen Simonetti

Jennifer Simonetti was named the new head coach of The University of Akron (UA) women's soccer program in July 2022.


Simonetti comes to Akron after three successful campaigns at Case Western Reserve University where she led the Spartans to a 30-7-3 mark since being named head coach in 2019.


This past season, Simonetti guided the Spartans to a 16-2-2 record en route to being named by D3Soccer.com as its 2021 National Coach Staff of the Year, while being honored as the United Soccer Coaches Division III Region VII Coaching Staff of the Year.


Simonetti led one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III, leading the Spartans to 30 victories and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of her two full campaigns, including setting or equaling the program record for wins each season. Case Western Reserve had one previous NCAA Tournament berth in program history prior to Simonetti's arrival in 2019.


In 2021, CWRU reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, the furthest a Spartan women's soccer team has ever advanced. The Spartans' 16 wins set a new program-best en route to finishing second in the conference, their highest finish in program history. In addition, Case Western Reserve ended the year ranked 10th in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches poll.


In her first year as the Spartans' head coach in 2019, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for just the second time in program history. The Spartans finished the season with a record of 13-5-1, including an 11-0-1 record in non-conference play. The 13 victories tied a program record for wins in a season with the 2011 squad.


Simonetti brings with her extensive experience as a collegiate coach to the Akron women's soccer program, with stints serving as the Head Coach at both Eastern Oregon University (NAIA) and Marietta College, and making multiple stops as an assistant coach, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Division I), and Division III programs in Oberlin College, Westfield State University, Chatham University, and Marietta College.


A standout defender at the University of Dayton, Simonetti earned a spot on the NSCAA All-America Third Team as a senior in 2004. She also claimed the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior and was a two-time all-conference first team selection during her time with the program. Simonetti was also a starting defender for the Cincinnati Ladyhawks of the W-League while in college. Simonetti graduated from Dayton with a bachelor's degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, has her USSF 'C' License, and has received multiple United Soccer Coaches Diplomas, including her Director of Coaching, and State and Regional Goalkeeping


She resides in Fairlawn, Ohio with her husband, Mark, and their three children, Sydney, Charlotte and Jackson.

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Maggie Kuhn

Maggie Kuhn joins the Zips’ coaching staff after spending three seasons as the head coach of Lock Haven University.


In 2021, Kuhn led the Bald Eagles into her second full season at LHU. The Haven ended with a 5-12-1 overall record. Following the season, freshman Hunter McClellan was named to the 2021 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Second Team.


In her first season (2019) at the helm in Lock Haven, Kuhn led the Bald Eagles to 4-11-2 record in what could be seen as a rebuilding year for the program.


Under the leadership of Kuhn, All-American Marah Foltz ended her career on another high note as she was named to the All-PSAC Second team. Goalkeeper Karly Trillhaase had a stout year under Kuhn as she made 86 saves on the year marking a career high and ranking her eighth best in the PSAC.


Kuhn brings with her to Akron 14 years of college coaching experience including seven seasons as a head coach.


Kuhn came to LHU by way of Point Park University, where she has served as the head coach of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program for the last seven seasons. Since taking over the program in 2012, she has led the program to unparalleled success.


At Point Park, she led the program to nearly 70 total wins, a 37-12-3 conference record and her teams qualified for the conference tournament during every season. The team won 11 games last season in 2018 on the way to a regular season conference title. The 11 wins served as the second most wins in school history. Kuhn’s 2015 team won a single-season school record 12 games.


Under Kuhn’s guidance, Point Park won back-to-back conference titles in 2015 and 2016, and the Pioneers qualified for the NAIA national tournament in each of those two seasons.


Kuhn also brings with her extensive club and camp coaching experience and has been involved in the Olympic Development Program in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She also served as an assistant coach with the Steel City F.C., a women’s soccer team that plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).


Kuhn, who holds her “E” license from the United States Soccer Federation, is working toward her “D” license, and she also holds an advanced regional certificate and a state goalkeeping certificate from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).


As a player at Bethany College, Kuhn was a four-year starter at goalkeeper. In 2004, she earned the Player’s Choice Award, was named the Team MVP and she earned a spot on the President’s Athletic Conference First Team. In 2012, she was inducted into the Bethany College Alumni Soccer Association Star of Honor society.


A native of Western Pennsylvania, Kuhn graduated from Bethany College in 2004 with a degree in psychology and she earned a master’s from Bethany in 2012.

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Josh Kay

Josh Kay joins the Zips’ coaching staff after spending three seasons with Case Western Reserve under head coach Jen Simonetti.


Kay helped guide the Spartans in 2021 when the coaching staff received D3Soccer.com Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year, United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III VII Regional Coaching Staff of the Year, and UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors. CWRU qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship and reached the round of 16 for the first time in program history.


In addition to his duties at CWRU, Kay also serves as coach for the Internationals Girls Soccer Club and a trainer for Highland Youth Soccer.


Kay also has been the Junior Varsity Head Coach/Varsity Assistant Coach for Highland High School Girls Soccer, a soccer trainer at Force Sports Academy and a coach/officer for the University of Akron Men's Soccer Club.


Kay earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Akron as a sport management and coaching education double-major. He also holds the following certifications: USSF National "C" Coaching License, certified in Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR and First Aid, completion of Sudden Cardiac Arrest training, completion of NFHS Concussion in Sports and completion of NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching.

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