Bio

	Alyssa Radu
	Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: Rutgers '01

radu@umbc.edu

Alyssa Radu was named head women’s soccer coach at UMBC in March 2008. Radu comes to UMBC after four seasons at New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she oversaw the transition of the Highlanders’ program from Division II to the Division I level.

“I am very excited about coming to UMBC and the opportunity Dr. Brown is giving me,” Radu said. “The university and the athletic department have a great deal to offer a student-athlete. I look forward to leading the women’s soccer program towards an America East championship.”

In just her second year as head coach, Radu led NJIT to its most successful season in the program’s 10-year history with an 8-6-3 overall record in 2005 and its first-ever post-season berth, advancing to the six-team ECAC Division II Tournament. The Highlanders established new standards for overall wins (8) and conference wins (7) in their final season at Division II.

While the Highlanders’ first two seasons at the Division I level were a bit of a struggle, NJIT finished the 2007 season on a high note, posting a 4-1-1 record over the final six games.

Prior to NJIT, Radu served as an assistant coach at Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., from 2002-04. The Cyclones set new school win records in each of her two seasons there.

“We are looking forward to Alyssa Radu joining our coaching staff,” Dr. Brown said. “She has all the attributes to raise the level of our women’s soccer team and bring stability to the program.”

A four-year starter at Rutgers (1997-2000), Radu also played two years in the semi-pro “W” League for the New Jersey Splash (2000-01).

Radu has coached club soccer and studied under the youth coaches of top professional European clubs, including Manchester United, PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona, as well as her college coach, Glen Crooks. She holds coaching licenses from both the NSCAA and USSF.

A native of Pittsburgh, Radu played at Upper St. Clair High School, where her nationally ranked team was a state finalist and two-time district finalist. She also won 10 state cups and one regional club title and was a regional ODP pool player.

Radu graduated from Rutgers with her bachelor’s degree in journalism/media studies in May 2001.