Xavier University Athletics
Kelsey Hunyadi Promoted to Women’s Soccer Associate Head Coach
07.10.20 | Women's Soccer
Hunyadi helped lead Musketeers to three-season turnaround, and record-breaking 2019 season
CINCINNATI – Xavier women's soccer head coach Nate Lie announced the promotion of Kelsey Hunyadi to associate head coach following a 2019 season that re-wrote the Xavier record books.
"Kelsey absolutely, unequivocally has earned this promotion," said Lie. "Honestly, she's essentially been operating as the Associate Head Coach for quite some time. Kelsey takes lead on many aspects of the program, including, but not limited to, recruiting, training, sports science, and scouting of the opponent. She is talented, trustworthy, selfless, thoughtful, and creative. Kelsey is relationship-driven, and she has fostered great connections with players, coaches and staff throughout the Xavier community. We are extremely lucky to have her as part of this program."
Hunyadi joined Lie's staff when he was hired in 2017 and has helped lead the program to an incredible three-season turnaround which was capped with a win over Virginia Tech in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, the program's first NCAA win.
The Musketeers finished the 2019 season with a school-record 17 wins after winning both the BIG EAST regular season championship and tournament championship. Following the season, Xavier's staff was named BIG EAST Staff of the Year.
In addition to the school-record win mark, the 2019 Musketeers also set a school record for most shutouts at 12, and recorded the second most goals scored in a season (43), assists in a season (42), points in a season (128), and the second lowest goals against average (0.71), with each of those marks being the best for the program in the last two decades.
Last year's record-breaking season followed a pair of break-through seasons for the Musketeers. In 2017, the staff's first season, the Musketeers went 8-8-4 overall, marking the first season at .500 or above since 2013. Xavier finished with a record of 4-3-2 in BIG EAST play and earned the program's first berth to the BIG EAST Championships, the first conference tournament appearance for the Musketeers since 2003.
In 2018, Xavier posted a 10-8-3 record, the first 10-win season for the program since 2003. The Musketeers finished a then program-best fourth in the BIG EAST standings, hosting a BIG EAST Championship match and advanced to the semifinals for first time since joining the BIG EAST in 2013. It also marked the first time the Musketeers advanced in the postseason since 2003.
Hunyadi, a native of Dublin, Ohio, came to Xavier from UC Davis, where she was in the role of assistant coach. Prior to working with the Aggies, Hunyadi spent a season as the director of soccer operations as Texas Christian University. During her time in Texas, Hunyadi also served as head coach of the U14 girls team for the Dallas Texans Club program.
Prior to TCU, Hunyadi spent time as an assistant at Youngstown State, Kentucky and Capital University, as well as with the Ohio Premier Soccer Club.
As a student-athlete, Hunyadi played over 6,200 minutes through 64 matches. She began her collegiate playing career at Louisville in 2007, earning third-team All-BIG EAST as a freshman. Hunyadi played her final two seasons at Kentucky, earning second-team All-SEC as a senior after a 14-goal, 38-point season.
Hunyadi graduated from Kentucky in May 2012 with a Bachelors of Political Science. She holds USSF "D," "E" and "F" Licenses.
"Kelsey absolutely, unequivocally has earned this promotion," said Lie. "Honestly, she's essentially been operating as the Associate Head Coach for quite some time. Kelsey takes lead on many aspects of the program, including, but not limited to, recruiting, training, sports science, and scouting of the opponent. She is talented, trustworthy, selfless, thoughtful, and creative. Kelsey is relationship-driven, and she has fostered great connections with players, coaches and staff throughout the Xavier community. We are extremely lucky to have her as part of this program."
Hunyadi joined Lie's staff when he was hired in 2017 and has helped lead the program to an incredible three-season turnaround which was capped with a win over Virginia Tech in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, the program's first NCAA win.
The Musketeers finished the 2019 season with a school-record 17 wins after winning both the BIG EAST regular season championship and tournament championship. Following the season, Xavier's staff was named BIG EAST Staff of the Year.
In addition to the school-record win mark, the 2019 Musketeers also set a school record for most shutouts at 12, and recorded the second most goals scored in a season (43), assists in a season (42), points in a season (128), and the second lowest goals against average (0.71), with each of those marks being the best for the program in the last two decades.
Last year's record-breaking season followed a pair of break-through seasons for the Musketeers. In 2017, the staff's first season, the Musketeers went 8-8-4 overall, marking the first season at .500 or above since 2013. Xavier finished with a record of 4-3-2 in BIG EAST play and earned the program's first berth to the BIG EAST Championships, the first conference tournament appearance for the Musketeers since 2003.
In 2018, Xavier posted a 10-8-3 record, the first 10-win season for the program since 2003. The Musketeers finished a then program-best fourth in the BIG EAST standings, hosting a BIG EAST Championship match and advanced to the semifinals for first time since joining the BIG EAST in 2013. It also marked the first time the Musketeers advanced in the postseason since 2003.
Hunyadi, a native of Dublin, Ohio, came to Xavier from UC Davis, where she was in the role of assistant coach. Prior to working with the Aggies, Hunyadi spent a season as the director of soccer operations as Texas Christian University. During her time in Texas, Hunyadi also served as head coach of the U14 girls team for the Dallas Texans Club program.
Prior to TCU, Hunyadi spent time as an assistant at Youngstown State, Kentucky and Capital University, as well as with the Ohio Premier Soccer Club.
As a student-athlete, Hunyadi played over 6,200 minutes through 64 matches. She began her collegiate playing career at Louisville in 2007, earning third-team All-BIG EAST as a freshman. Hunyadi played her final two seasons at Kentucky, earning second-team All-SEC as a senior after a 14-goal, 38-point season.
Hunyadi graduated from Kentucky in May 2012 with a Bachelors of Political Science. She holds USSF "D," "E" and "F" Licenses.
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