Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University Athletics
17 High Street - P.E. Center, MSC #32 Plymouth, NH 03264

Division 3 New Hampshire Northeast

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Peter Simonini

Peter Simonini was hired as the new head coach of the Panthers' women's soccer program in February 2023, becoming the program's 13th coach in school history.

A highly coach in the New England region, Simonini joins the staff with over 30 years experience across all three NCAA divisions, as well as time in the professional ranks.

Simonini spent 21 seasons atop the Bentley University men's program from 1987-2007 where he posted an overall record of 194-179-20 (.519) and earned several accolades with the Falcons. He was tabbed the Massachusetts College Coach of the Year (1992), was a five-time Northeast-10 Coach of the Year (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2004), three-time New England Division II Coach of the Year (1992, 1993, 2004), and MSCAA Coach of the Year in 1993.

During his time at Bentley, Simonini also spent time working with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). In 1996, the inaugural season of MLS, he joined the club as an Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Trainer, a position he would hold for 15 seasons.

After leaving Bentley, Simonini had a brief one-year stop as men's assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer at the University of Massachusetts Lowell before a three-year stint in the same role at Bryant University from 2009-2011, where he helped the program transition to Division I. He spent the 2012 season at Endicott College as men's assistant coach, before leading the women's program at Daniel Webster College from 2013-17, when the institution closed.

Well regarded as of the most prolific goalkeepers in Plymouth State history, Simonini anchored the Panthers to a 42-6-3 mark and two NCAA Tournament appearances in his three years as a full-time starter from 1976-1979. His 43 career shutouts were the most in Division III at the time and still rank fifth in DIII history and 13th among all NCAA divisions, while his career goals against average of 0.353 is sixth in NCAA history across all divisions and the third-lowest all-time in Division III. In 1978 alone, Simonini posted a remarkable 14 shutouts over 19 games. As a senior, Simonini earned All-America and All-New England honors and was selected to participate in the Senior Bowl, featuring the top players from all three NCAA divisions. He was also selected All-New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) in 1978 and 1979, and participated in the NEISL All-Star game both years, while claiming All-New England State College Athletic Conference recognition as a junior.

After leaving Plymouth State, Simonini was drafted by the New England Tea Men of the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the third overall selection in the 1980 draft. He played with the club for two seasons before the organization relocated to Jacksonville, Fla., where he played another four years. In 1983, Simonini was named the Most Valuable Player and Leading Goalkeeper while leading the Jacksonville Tea Men to the American Soccer League (ASL) title. Simonini closed out his professional playing career with a two-year stint with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), before starting his coaching career at Bentley.

In 2016, he was tabbed by New England Soccer Journal as one of the 50 Greatest Players from New England. He was inducted into the Plymouth State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990 and the New England Soccer Hall of Fame in 1999.