Coach Daniel Carroll Honored as Coach of the Year After Leading WAU to Historic Soccer Season

TAKOMA PARK, Md. (AP) — The 2023 soccer season at Washington Adventist University (WAU) concludes with notable achievements, headlined by Men’s Soccer Team Coach Daniel Carroll receiving the Coach of the Year award. This recognition comes after Carroll led a team of new players to their first Conference Tournament appearance in school history.

Carroll, who expressed gratitude for the award, credited hard work, dedication, and teamwork, highlighting the contributions of his volunteer coaching staff, Windell Reid and Luis Zuniga. He also acknowledged the support from the WAU administration, particularly Dr. Mike Harris, for his efforts in facilitating the participation of international students. 

“[He] worked tirelessly to produce the necessary paperwork and documents that allowed for all of our international students to get here,” Carroll said. “I want to thank him for patience and diligence throughout this unprecedented process.”

Under Carroll’s guidance, the Shock posted a 10-5-2 record this year, advancing to the Continental Atlantic Conference (CAC) semifinal where they were stopped by Bellevue. Despite the loss, the team made a significant leap in the NAIA rank, moving up nearly 40 positions.

Jered Lyons, WAU’s athletic director, praised Carroll’s growth and work ethic, emphasizing his ability to foster a strong team culture and his commitment to player success both on and off the field. 

“He wants his players to succeed on and off the field,” Lyons said. “He’s a hands-on coach, and that has been evident through the program.”

Senior player David Rowe reflected on Carroll’s impactful coaching style, uniting a diverse team of new and freshman players. He highlighted Carroll’s winning mentality and his ability to adapt players to various positions, acknowledging the personal support he received from Carroll during challenging times.

Carroll, looking ahead, aims to build on the team’s successes and sees potential in the core group for the next season. His vision for WAU Men’s Soccer is to represent the institution proudly and show the country what they are capable of.

“We are … Washington Adventist University,” Carroll concluded, encapsulating the spirit and ambition of the team.