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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Former Syracuse women's soccer assistant coach Abby Minihan has been named the Head Women's Soccer Coach at USC Upstate, announced Director of Athletics, Mike Hall, today.  Minihan becomes the third head coach of the Spartan women's soccer program.

Prior to arriving in Spartanburg, Minihan was an assistant coach for two years at Syracuase (2010 & 2011).  In her second season with the Orange, she helped guide the club to a 6-5 record in Big East Conference play and the team earned a berth in the Big East Tournament.

"I am delighted to have such a great opportunity," said Minihan.  "USC Upstate is a fantastic academic institution with a rich athletic history.  I believe that the women's soccer program has a tremendous opportunity to grow and develop to become a fierce competitor in the Atlantic Sun Conference."

Prior to her assistant coaching stint at Syracuse, Minihan was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Michigan (2007 season) as well as Liberty (2008 season) and Western Michigan (2009 season).

At each of the three stops, she aided in team development as well as organizing and executing practice sessions.  She was responsible for editing and preparing video for education sessions as well as creating scouting reports on upcoming opponents.

"We are very excited about Coach Abby Minihan joining the Spartan family," said Hall.  "She comes to us with an outstanding background both as a top Division I player and also as a well-rounded coaching resume, both as a Head Coach and as an assistant coach for several quality Division I programs. She is very passionate about coaching our team and advancing our program within the A-Sun conference and beyond. I am very confident she has the background, experience, motivation and philosophy to be successful at USC Upstate."    

Prior to returning to her roots in Michigan, Minihan spent two years in the Palmetto State.  During the 2005 season, she served as a volunteer assistant coach at Clemson before accepting the head coaching position at Anderson.  She was responsible for all facets of the women's soccer program at Anderson.

Minihan started her collegiate coaching career in 2004 as the head coach at Division III Pittsburgh-Bradford.  She was responsible for all facets of the program as well as assisting with fundraising efforts for the athletic department.

As a player, Minihan was a four-year starter at Michigan (1999-03) and remains at the top of the record books with 116 career points (43 goals, 30 assists).  The 2002 Tri-Captain appeared in 83 matches during her four-year career and the team claimed the 1999 Big Ten Championship and reached the quarterfinal round in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and Communications and earned a pair of Athletic Academic Achievement Awards (1999, 2000).  Minihan also was named to the Kinseiology Dean's List in 2001 and 2002.

During her playing career, she was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection (1999, 2001, 2002), while picking up the Big Ten Conference's Women's Soccer Athlete of the Year award in 2002.  She was a 2002 NSCAA All-American as a senior and was named a NSCAA/Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy Award Finalist during her final season of competition.

Minihan was a member of the U.S. National Team (U-21) in 2002 and has played professionally with the Atlanta Beat (2003, Women's United Soccer Association), Charlotte Eagles (2007-08, Women's Professional Soccer League) and the Boston Breakers (2009, Women's Professional Soccer).

She has also focused on instilling importance of commitment and dedication to achieve success by serving as a youth soccer coach and trainer since 2000. She also holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma (USSF B Equivalent).

Minihan's husband, David, is the Academy Director for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) located in Greenville, S.C.