Northwestern University Athletics
Michael Moynihan Named Northwestern's Women's Soccer Coach
12/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dec. 21, 2011
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern University's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Jim Phillips, announced today that Michael Moynihan, the head women's soccer coach at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has been named Northwestern's new women's soccer head coach.
Moynihan, an eight-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, turned Milwaukee into one of the nation's top women's soccer programs during his tenure. Under his tutelage, the Panthers qualified for nine NCAA Tournaments and captured 13 Horizon League Championships, including the last 12 in a row. That streak is the second-longest of its kind, trailing only Penn State's 14-straight Big Ten titles.
“We are very excited to welcome Michael, his wife, Holly, and their son, Gabriel, to the Northwestern family,” Phillips said. “Michael has had tremendous success building the Milwaukee women's soccer program into one of the best in the country and I am excited about the future of Northwestern women's soccer under his leadership. Michael's commitment to service also makes him a perfect fit for our program and we look forward to introducing him to members of the Northwestern community.”
In 15 years at Milwaukee, Moynihan accumulated a 193-84-38 record, including an 86-8-5 (.894) mark in Horizon League games. In 2011, Moynihan's Panthers won a school-record 19 matches, including a perfect 8-0-0 record in conference action, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round. Led by nine all-conference honorees, including the Horizon League Player of the Year, Defensive Co-Player of the Year and an NSCAA All-American, the Panthers finished the season ranked No. 23 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) with a final RPI of No. 25.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to represent a world-class institution of the stature and reputation of Northwestern University,” Moynihan said. “I was immediately impressed with Athletic Director Jim Phillips and his staff, and I am excited about their vision to establish Northwestern women's soccer as an elite program. I can't wait to get started working to make this vision a reality.
"I'd also like to thank the athletic department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for giving me the opportunity to represent their institution for the past 19 years. It's been an incredible experience that has shaped me professionally and personally, and I owe considerable thanks for the opportunity given to me. Our program at UWM has experienced considerable success and those associated with the program have become like family. For 19 years I have grown with this program, and it is difficult for me to say goodbye, but while there is sadness at leaving, an exciting new chapter in my life now begins at Northwestern.”
The Milwaukee, Wis., native's coaching career began with the Panthers in 1993 when he served as an assistant coach under his sister, Susan. He helped guide the Panthers in that capacity to a 40-33-4 mark in four seasons, laying the groundwork for when he would take over the program in 1997. Michael also played an instrumental role in fundraising efforts to have the Panthers' home field, the Laura Moynihan Field, named after his mother who also coached the UWM women's soccer program.
An active member of the Milwaukee community, Moynihan served on the board of directors for the Shorewood Kickers and was the director of coaching for the Wisconsin Girls Olympic Development Program. At UWM, his teams regularly hosted soccer camps and clinics throughout the area.
Moynihan played collegiately at Wisconsin, graduating in 1990 with a degree in history. While at Wisconsin, Moynihan was a four-year letterwinner, served two years as team captain and received the team's Bill Reddan Award for Sportsmanship as a senior. He also earned a teaching certificate in secondary education from UWM in 1993.
Moynihan Year-by-Year Head Coaching History
| Season | School | Overall Record/Conference | Postseason |
| 2011 | Milwaukee | 19-3-0/8-0-0 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 2010 | Milwaukee | 12-7-2/6-2-0 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2009 | Milwaukee | 12-6-3/8-0-0 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2008 | Milwaukee | 18-3-2/7-1-0 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2007 | Milwaukee | 13-4-4/7-0-1 | |
| 2006 | Milwaukee | 16-4-2/7-0-0 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 2005 | Milwaukee | 12-5-5/6-0-1 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 2004 | Milwaukee | 11-8-3/7-0-0 | |
| 2003 | Milwaukee | 9-9-1/5-1-0 | |
| 2002 | Milwaukee | 11-6-5/5-0-1 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2001 | Milwaukee | 15-5-0/6-0-0 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2000 | Milwaukee | 11-8-1/5-0-0 | |
| 1999 | Milwaukee | 11-8-3/3-2-0 | |
| 1998 | Milwaukee | 10-5-3/2-2-1 | |
| 1997 | Milwaukee | 13-3-4/4-0-1 | NCAA Tournament |
| TOTALS | 15 Seasons | 193-84-38/86-8-5 | 9 NCAA Tournament Appearances |
13 Horizon League Regular Season Champions
1997 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004
2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011
8 Horizon League Tournament Champions
1997 • 2001 • 2002 • 2005 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011
