NEWARK, Del. - - Wilmington University Director of Athletics Linda Andrzjewski is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Zoyac as the head coach of the Wildcats’ women’s soccer team, effective immediately.
“I’m humbled to be the next women’s soccer coach at Wilmington,” Zoyac said of his hiring. “I want to thank the University for this wonderful opportunity and for having the confidence in me to take over a program with so much tradition.”
Zoyac becomes the fourth head coach of the women’s soccer program in its NCAA era. He takes over the women’s program after being an assistant and associate head coach for Nick Papanicolas and the men’s program at Wilmington for the past 11 seasons.
During his time on the sidelines with Papanicolas, Zoyac has seen over 100 victories in 11 seasons, helping the Wildcats to an overall record of 115-80-23 and a 68-32-11 record inside the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Zoyac has been a part of one CACC Tournament Championship run (2007), and two NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament Second Round appearances (2009 and 2013).
Prior to coaching at Wilmington, Zoyac finished his collegiate career as a Wildcat, transferring from Rowan College after leading the Profs to a NCAA Division III National Semifinal appearance as a sweeper. Upon joining Wilmington in 2003, he led the Wildcats in scoring and was a crucial piece of their second CACC Championship. He finished his collegiate soccer career as an Honorable Mention All-CACC selection.
“It’s an honor to start my collegiate head coaching career where I played and spent the past 11 years as an assistant coach. I also want to thank Nick (Papanicolas) for mentoring me during my playing and coaching career, and preparing me to take over my own program.”
Outside of Wilmington, Zoyac has been coaching girls’ club soccer at the New Jersey Rush Soccer Club since 2010. Under his tutelage, the U18’s girls’ team has claimed back-to-back U.S. Club New Jersey State Championships and has been ranked in the top-3 in the state in each of the past two seasons. Zoyac has also coached the U14 and U 16 teams at NJ Rush, leading each team into the top-10 in the state.
“We are excited to have Jeff begin his collegiate head coaching career here at Wilmington University,” Andrzjewski said. “He knows the University and athletics program very well, and I am confident our student-athletes will enjoy the opportunity to work with him.”