Eric Watson
Head Men's Soccer Coach
Phone: 845-257-2342
Email:
watsone@newpaltz.edu
Eric Watson enters his fourth season as the head men’s soccer coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz in 2010. Watson has served as the architect charged with rebuilding New Paltz men’s soccer, which has improved dramatically during his three years presiding over the program. His 2009 squad went 7-10-2, which included a draw against a perennially-successful Union (N.Y.) College team. In 2008, the Hawks had four more wins than in 2007 and scored more goals than allowed. Watson has had two student-athletes earn All-State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) honors in addition to National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region accolades.
Watson joined the New Paltz staff after spending five years as the head men’s soccer coach at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore.
While at Linfield, he compiled an overall record of 62-24-10 and led the Wildcats to the NCAA playoffs in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, Linfield claimed the Northwest Conference (NWC) championship, and in 2005, Watson was named the NWC Coach of the Year. Watson also served as the women’s soccer coach in 2002 and 2003. Prior to Linfield, Watson spent two seasons as the assistant men’s soccer coach at the University of Richmond. He was heavily involved with coordinating goalkeeper training, recruiting future players and scouting opponents. From 1998-00, Watson served as the assistant men's soccer coach at Williams College. The program compiled a 31-3-2 record and reached the NCAA Division III semifinals in 1998 and the quarterfinals in 1999.
Watson has coached as an assistant with the U23 women’s national team the past three seasons (2008, 2009 and 2010), which competes both domestically and internationally.
He has worked extensively as a club coach for F.C. Portland, the Oregon Olympic Development Program, the Regional Olympic Development staff and the Richmond Capitals Club. He holds a Class “A” coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and a goalkeeper diploma from the NSCAA. Currently, he serves as the NSCAA East Region Chair for the Scholar All-America committee.
Watson enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Williams from 1993-96. He was a senior captain in 1996 and helped lead the Ephs to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. In 1995, his team went undefeated with a record of 17-0-2 and claimed the NCAA Division III National Championship. Williams appeared in the NCAA Division III title game in 1993 and posted a 16-1-1 record. Watson received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Williams in 1997 and completed his master's degree in sport leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2002.
Contact Eric Watson at ext. 2342 or watsone@newpaltz.edu.
|
The Watson File
|
| Year |
Overall Record |
SUNYAC Record |
| 2007 |
3-12-2 |
2-6-2 |
| 2008 |
7-8-4 |
3-6-1 |
| 2009 |
7-10-2 |
2-7-0 |
| TOTALS |
17-30-8 |
7-19-3 |
Return to Coaching Staff