Slippery Rock Athletics Hall of Famer Noreen Herlihy began her second stint as head coach of The Rock women's soccer program in April of 2025.
CAREER AT A GLANCE
• Career record: 317-209-63 (.592).
• One of 16 active Division II coaches with 300 wins.
• Ranks 13th for career victories among active head coaches in in Division II.
• Ranks 23rd in Division II history for wins in a career.
• Selected as the 2003 and 2012 United Soccer Coaches (formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America) Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
• Has been named the PSAC Coach of the Year on five occasions (1996, 2003, 2012, 2024, 2025).
• Mentored 13 All-America selections, 62 all-region honorees and 90 All-PSAC choices including four PSAC Athletes of the Year (Sarah Arsenault (2x), Julie Kirwan, Meghan McGrath).
• Has had just two losing seasons on the Division II level.
• A member of three Hall of Fames (Slippery Rock Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Massasoit Hall of Fame and Mercyhurst Athletics Hall of Fame.
SEASON-BY-SEASON BREAKDOWN
2025
• Led Slippery Rock to a 12-4-1 overall record and a PSAC Tournament appearance in first season back leading The Rock.
• SRU won the PSAC West regular season title after going 12-1-1 in league play.
• Finished regular season with an undefeated 6-0-1 home record.
• The Rock went 12-2-1 over final 15 games of 2025.
• Eight wins came via shutout.
• Slippery Rock ranked in the top five of the 17-team PSAC in shutout percentage (third / .471), shots per game (fourth / 14.71), corners per game (fourth / 6.00), assists per game (fifth / 1.65), points per game (fifth / 5.41) and shots on goal per game (fifth / 7.18).
• Named the PSAC West Coach of the Year and mentored six All-PSAC West honorees in Sydney Smith, Libby Zacharyasz, Kailyn Schulte, Marissa Salisbury, Sophia Palermo and Leah Allman.
• Zacharyasz went on to be named to the USC All-Atlantic Region Team.
• Slippery Rock posted the highest team GPA of any women’s soccer team (3.758) in the PSAC. Allman, Zacharyasz, Smith, Salisbury, Palermo and Bailey McGee named to CSC Academic All-District Team.
2024 (at IUP)
• Indiana (Pa.) went 11-3-4 and finished second in the PSAC West.
• IUP broke a 15-year NCAA Tournament drought with an at-large bid.
• The Crimson Hawks saw five student-athletes earn All-PSAC honors.
2023 (at IUP)
• IUP went 5-9-4 and finished sixth in the PSAC West.
• The Crimson Hawks had three players placed on All-PSAC teams.
2022 (at IUP)
• IUP went 5-4-8 and finished sixth in the PSAC West in Herlihy’s first year with the Crimson Hawks.
• The Crimson Hawks placed three student-athletes on All-PSAC teams.
2021 (at Akron)
• Akron went 3-15-1 and finished 12th in the MAC in Herlihy’s last year at the program.
2020 (at Akron)
• Akron went 3-5-1 and finished fourth in the MAC East in the spring of 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019 (at Akron)
• Akron went 8-10-2 and finished fifth in the MAC.
• The Zips made the MAC tournament for the second consecutive season.
• Libby Harper became the program’s first MAC Freshman of the Year.
• The Zips had three players earn All-MAC honors, including Ashley Amato with first team honors, the first to achieve this with Herlihy at the helm.
2018 (at Akron)
• Akron went 8-10-2 and finished sixth in the MAC.
• The Zips made the MAC tournament for the first time during Herlihy’s tenure and the fourth time in program history.
• The Zips placed three student-athletes on All-MAC teams.
2017 (at Akron)
• Akron went 2-13-4 and finished fifth in the MAC East.
• The Zips had one player earn All-MAC honors
2016 (at Akron)
• Akron went 4-11-0 and finished fifth in the MAC East.
• The Zips placed one on All-MAC teams.
2015 (at Akron)
• Akron went 6-13-12 and finished fifth in the MAC East in Herlihy’s first year at the helm.
• The Zips had one player on All-MAC teams.
2014
• Slippery Rock went 11-6-1 and finished fifth in the PSAC, earning a PSAC Tournament bid.
• The Rock placed three on All-PSAC teams and four on USC All-Region teams.
2013
• Slippery Rock went 15-4-2 and finished second in the PSAC, earning a spot in the PSAC and NCAA Tournaments.
• SRU made a run to the NCAA Quarterfinals via wins over Shippensburg and California (Pa.) before losing to American International College.
• The Rock finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation.
• SRU placed four on All-America teams.
• The Rock had six student-athletes on All-PSAC and eight on USC All-Region teams.
2012
• Slippery Rock went 14-6-3 and finished seventh in the PSAC.
• The Rock captured their third PSAC Championship with wins over West Chester, East Stroudsburg and No. 16 California.
• SRU made a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament with triumphs over No. 24 Edinboro and No. 16 California before losing to West Chester.
• The Rock finished the season ranked No. 14 in the nation.
• Herlihy named USC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and PSAC Coach of the Year.
• Rock had two earn All-American status.
• Rock placed 10 on USC All-Region and seven on All-PSAC teams.
2011
• Slippery Rock went 16-5-2 and finished third in the PSAC.
• SRU fell to No. 17 Kutztown in the PSAC semifinals after a quarterfinal victory over West Chester.
• The Rock made it to the Sweet 16 with wins over Alderson-Broaddus and No. 15 Kutztown before falling to No. 2 California.
• SRU finished the season ranked No. 14 in the nation.
• One Rock athlete earned All-America honors.
• The Rock placed four on USC All-Region and six on All-PSAC teams.
2010
• Slippery Rock went 14-3-5 and finished fifth in the PSAC.
• The Rock beat Bloomsburg but fell to West Chester in the Semifinals of the PSAC Tournament.
• SRU made the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a win over West Virginia Wesleyan before falling to California.
• The Rock finished the season ranked No. 23 in the nation.
• Slippery Rock saw four make USC All-Region and five make All-PSAC.
2009
• Slippery Rock went 10-5-3 and on a “down year” failed to make the PSAC Tournament.
• SRU placed one on the USC All-Region and three on the All-PSAC teams.
2008
• Slippery Rock went 14-7-1 and finished third in the PSAC West.
• The Rock made the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a victory of Bloomsburg in the first round, but then fell to Mercyhurst in the second.
• SRU saw six student-athletes make USC All-Region and five make All-PSAC teams.
2007
• Slippery Rock went 17-5-1 while finishing second in the PSAC and finishing runner-up in the PSAC Tournament.
• Slippery Rock made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a win over Adelphi before losing to West Chester.
• SRU finished the season ranked No. 22 in the nation.
• The Rock saw three student-athletes earn All-America honors.
• SRU had four players earn USC All-Region and five players earn All-PSAC honors.
2006
• Slippery Rock went 12-7-1 and made it to the PSAC Semifinals.
• The Rock saw two student-athletes make USC All-Region and five make All-PSAC teams.
2005
• Slippery Rock went 13-5-3 and won their second PSAC Tournament in program history.
• SRU had two student-athletes make USC All-Region and six make the All-PSAC team.
2004
• Slippery Rock went 13-3-2 and made the PSAC Semifinals.
• The Rock saw two student-athletes make USC All-Region and six on All-PSAC teams.
2003
• Slippery Rock went 15-3-2 and were crowned the PSAC Champion.
• The Rock earned a NCAA Tournament appearance.
• SRU finished the season ranked No. 12 in the nation.
• Herlihy earned PSAC and USC Coach of the Year awards.
• The Rock saw two players earn All-America honors.
• SRU had four players make USC All-Region and five make All-PSAC teams.
2002
• Slippery Rock went 10-6-1, but failed to make the PSAC Tournament.
• The Rock saw two players earn All-PSAC honors.
2001
• Slippery Rock went 14-5-0.
• The Rock earned their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history, making it to the second round as well.
• SRU finished the season ranked No. 14 in the nation.
• The Rock saw one player earn All-America honors.
• SRU found four of its student-athletes on USC All-Region and three on the All-PSAC teams.
2000
• Slippery Rock went 11-6-1 and earned first PSAC tournament bid in program history.
• The Rock had four players make All-PSAC teams.
1999
• Slippery Rock went 13-4-0.
• SRU finished the season ranked No. 24 in the nation.
• The Rock saw one player earn All-America honors, the first in program history.
• SRU had two players make USC All-Region and four players make All-PSAC teams.
1998
• Slippery Rock went 10-7-0.
• SRU placed two student-athletes on the USC All-Region and All-PSAC teams.
1997
• Slippery Rock went 9-8-1.
• The Rock saw one player earn USC All-Region and two players receive All-PSAC recognition.
1996
• Slippery Rock went 14-5-0.
• Herlihy earned PSAC Coach of the Year.
• The Rock placed one on the USC All-Region and three on the All-PSAC teams.
1995
• Slippery Rock went 5-13-1.
THE ROCK IN THE CLASSROOM
• From 1995-2015, Rock women’s soccer had two players named to the CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-America team (Lauren Impey and Nicole Krueger), along with 191 PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
• Three SRU women’s soccer student-athletes have been named members of the USC Scholar All-America team, as well as the PSAC Fall Top 10.
• In 2025-26, Slippery Rock posted the highest team GPA of any women’s soccer team (3.758) in the PSAC along with six CSC Academic All-District Team honorees and 30 PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
COACHING TIMELINE
• 1992-94: Mercyhurst (assistant coach)
• 1995-2015: Slippery Rock (head coach)
• 2015-22: Akron (head coach)
• 2022-25: Indiana (Pa.) (head coach)
• 2025-Present: Slippery Rock (head coach)
CAREER PATH
• Herlihy’s first collegiate coaching position came in 1992 as an assistant at Mercyhurst University. Herlihy helped guide Mercyhurst to an NCAA Tournament Semifinal appearance in 1994.
• After two seasons at Mercyhurst, Herlihy was named the head coach at Slippery Rock where she went on to begin her hall of fame career.
• After 20 seasons with SRU, she left for Division ? Akron where in seven seasons she rebuilt the Zips and reached the Mid-American Conference tournament three times, doubling the amount in the program’s history.
• Herlihy then took the head coaching position at IUP. She took the Crimson Hawks to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 seasons.
PLAYING CAREER
• Herlihy was selected to the Irish National Team from 1985-88, where she played in qualifying competition for the tournament now known as the UEFA Women’s Championship.
• Attended Massasoit Community College where she played basketball and soccer.
• Then transferred to Mercyhurst for two seasons.
PERSONAL
• A native of Cork, Ireland
• Received associates degree in liberal arts from Massasoit Community College
• Received bachelor’s degree in sports medicine Mercyhurst University
• Oversaw SRU Athletes for Forgotten Angels, a community service group which was made up of student-athletes from all Slippery Rock sports teams.
| Noreen Herlihy Head Coaching Career |
| Year |
W |
L |
T |
Season Notes |
| 1995 |
5 |
13 |
1 |
- |
| 1996 |
14 |
5 |
0 |
- |
| 1997 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
- |
| 1998 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
- |
| 1999 |
13 |
4 |
0 |
- |
| 2000 |
11 |
6 |
1 |
PSAC Tournament (SF) |
| 2001 |
14 |
5 |
0 |
NCAA Tournament (2nd) |
| 2002 |
10 |
6 |
1 |
- |
| 2003 |
15 |
3 |
2 |
PSAC Champions / NCAA Tournament (1st) |
| 2004 |
13 |
3 |
2 |
PSAC Tournament (SF) |
| 2005 |
13 |
5 |
3 |
PSAC Champions |
| 2006 |
12 |
7 |
1 |
PSAC Tournament (SF) / NCAA Tournament (1st) |
| 2007 |
17 |
5 |
1 |
PSAC Runner-up / NCAA Tournament (2nd) |
| 2008 |
14 |
7 |
1 |
PSAC Tournament (QF) / NCAA Tournament (2nd) |
| 2009 |
10 |
5 |
3 |
- |
| 2010 |
14 |
3 |
5 |
PSAC Tournament (SF) / NCAA Tournament (2nd) |
| 2011 |
16 |
5 |
2 |
PSAC Tournament (SF) / NCAA Tournament (3rd) |
| 2012 |
14 |
6 |
3 |
PSAC Champion / NCAA Tournament (3rd) |
| 2013 |
15 |
4 |
2 |
PSAC Tournament (QF) / NCAA Tournament (QF) |
| 2014 |
11 |
6 |
1 |
PSAC Tournament (QF) |
| 2015 (Akron) |
6 |
13 |
2 |
MAC Tournament (SF) |
| 2016 (Akron) |
4 |
11 |
4 |
- |
| 2017 (Akron) |
2 |
13 |
4 |
- |
| 2018 (Akron) |
8 |
10 |
2 |
MAC Tournament (QF) |
| 2019 (Akron) |
8 |
10 |
2 |
MAC Tournament (QF) |
| 2020 (Akron) |
3 |
5 |
1 |
- |
| 2021 (Akron) |
3 |
15 |
1 |
- |
| 2022 (IUP) |
5 |
4 |
8 |
- |
| 2023 (IUP) |
5 |
9 |
4 |
- |
| 2024 (IUP) |
11 |
3 |
4 |
PSAC Tournament (QF) / NCAA Tournament (1st) |
| 2025 (SRU) |
12 |
4 |
1 |
PSAC Tournament (QF) |
| 2026 (SRU) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
SRU Career
|
262
|
117
|
31
|
SRU Winning Percentage: .677
9 NCAA Tournament Appearance
3 PSAC Championships
14 PSAC Tournament Appearance |
| Akron (2015-21) |
34 |
77 |
16 |
3 MAC Tournament Appearances |
| IUP (2022-24) |
21 |
16 |
16 |
1 NCAA Tournament Appearance |
| All-Time Career |
317 |
210 |
63 |
.591 |
| Division II Career |
283 |
133 |
47 |
.663 |
