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Editor's note: This is the 11th part of a two-week-long series featuring Texas coaches.
The Texas women's soccer team seems to reach new heights each time it takes the field with head coach Chris Petrucelli. The Orange, N.J., native turned around a 5-year-old Texas program, which won only 40 games prior to his arrival, and brought the Longhorns into national championship contention.
Petrucelli is only the second coach in Texas soccer history. The Longhorns won 10 games in a season only once before Petrucelli arrived, and since then have strung together a streak of five consecutive years with double-digit wins. Now in his sixth year as the head man, Petrucelli has led the Longhorns to a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.
"He's a winner," first-year assistant coach Neil McGuire said. "He truly knows how to win."
Before coming to Texas, Petrucelli had extended stays at Old Dominion and Notre Dame.
After leading North Carolina-Greensboro to back-to-back national titles as a player, Petrucelli became an assistant coach at Old Dominion. He posted a 76-27-17 record alongside head coach Mike Berticelli. When Berticelli moved to Notre Dame to become the head men's soccer coach, Petrucelli followed and took over the reigns of the women's team.
Petrucelli's nine-year stint with the Fighting Irish yielded a world of success. One national championship, two-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year along with other individual and team awards highlighted a program that compiled a 175-22-10 record.
Petrucelli is well on his way to bringing the Longhorns the same kind of recognition as the Irish. During games, Petrucelli brings a fiery personality to the sidelines. He can often be seen patrolling the Texas sideline and letting referees know exactly how he feels about their calls. His all-business attitude on the field generates few words for the players but carries an enormous amount of experience.
"Coach is usually pretty quiet," senior Nicole Breger said. "He won't talk your ears off, but he definitely gets his point across."
Petrucelli's development of the Texas program has also helped him recruit nationally. The 2003 and 2004 classes, both ranked third by Soccer America, have contributed to this year's success.
Petrucelli develops close relationships with all of his players and strengthens the team unity. Sophomore Nikki Thaden talked about her coach's ability to joke around with the players.
"I have a tendency to fall down a lot when I play, and coach is always there in practice saying, 'Uh-oh, Thaden's on the ground again.'"
Petrucelli's ability to joke around with players off the field allows him to be heard on the field.
"He's a very even mannered person," McGuire said. "He doesn't really go through too many highs or lows."
Petrucelli's 10th appearance in the NCAA tournament begins this weekend. This year's team has earned the right to host its first tournament matches. If the Longhorns can grab a first round victory, it will be the first time Texas has ever advanced into the round of 32 - one more accomplishment Petrucelli can add to his list.
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