By By Tim Robertson
Like Rome, the Pride women’s soccer empire was not built in a day. Rather, it was built in 14 years under the rule of head coach JoAnne Russell. She led the program from a club sport in her early years to a current conference powerhouse. Now she believes her team “can set our goal on the sweet 16” and can become a permanent force in the NCAA tournament for years to come.
Russell, a native of Long Island, was a high school coach before taking on the task of coaching what, at the time, was the Pride club women’s soccer program.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into [by taking the job],” Russell said. “I never thought about wins and losses when I came here.”
Even though she never thought about wins, she sure has collected a lot. Since then, Russell has compiled a 147-89-16 record through Monday and is 11-2-1 (7-0-0 in CAA play) this season. The one tie was to No. 20 University of Washington, and one of the losses to No. 9 University of Connecticut.
“When we are on the top of our game, there isn’t a team that can beat us,” Russell said of her first-place Pride.
In both 2002 and 2003, Russell earned CAA Coach of the Year. To be named coach of the year once, one must be doing something very well. The case is magnified for Russell, whose won it in consecutive years, a feat that not many coaches are able to accomplish.
“It has a lot do to with not so much my strength of coaching, but my strength of character,” Russell said. “I have certain goals, certain values and certain responsibilities. I stand by whatever I think is right and I back it up.”
Prior to becoming the Pride’s head coach, she had a lot of coaching success.
At Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, Russell led her team to New York State Class A title in 1991 and a second place finish in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Poll. The year before, Russell led New Hyde Park to a county championship.
Russell said there is a major difference between coaching high school and college soccer. Now, she learns more about the women’s personalities, stating that, “I have more influence on them and what they do. Academics, leading them to where they should be going,” Russell said. “You start with them while recruiting them, so you learn every facet of their lives.”
Russell believes by coaching college players, she develops more of a friendship with the young women.
Since 1999, Russell has been recruiting across the pond in Ireland. The Pride has brought over eight Irish women, all of which are either playing or have played for the Irish National Team at some point and five are currently competing for a spot in the World Cup.
Does Russell ever think about coaching five of the best in the world?
“Yes,” she said with a cheek-to-cheek smile. “Sure, you always think about where they have been and where they’re going,”
A relaxed, personable coach with a self-described “heart and desire.” She hopes to continue the success she and the Pride have enjoyed over the last 14 years as the women’s soccer team gains even more recognition.
