Troy University Athletics
Bentley Completes Soccer Staff
8/12/2008 5:00:00 AM | Soccer
The hiring of Scanlan as assistant women's soccer coach is a homecoming of sorts. She served as a graduate assistant for the Trojan soccer program from 1999-2001 while earning her Master's Degree in Education.
Since 2007, Scanlan has served as the head coach of the
“Claire's international experience will aid us in broadening our recruiting scope over sea's, not to mention, add a new flavor to our style of play and training,” coach Bentley said.
“She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge at all levels of the game, which will provide an amazing credibility with our student athletes.”
As a current player on the Irish National Team, Scanlan possesses 57 Caps (appearances) in European and World Cup qualifiers and was named the Irish National Player of the Year in 1999.
Also in 2007, Scanlan accepted a position as assistant coach of the England
Colleges National Team. Additionally, since 2004 she has served as the head
coach of the
At Filton, where she served from 2004-2008, Scanlan directed her squad to back-to-back league championships in 2007 and 2008 along with a National Cup championship in 2007 and a five-a-side championship in 2008.
From
Her next stop was a little closer to home, working and
playing for the Leeds United Football Club in
Scanlan's first coaching job came in 2004 when she was hired
as an assistant coach for the
In addition to working at
Scanlan's first stop as a player following her stellar collegiate career came in 1997 in Japan, with the Oki FC Winds of the Japanese “L” League. She played for the Springfield Sirens, winning a W-League National Championship in 2000 before moving on to the Memphis Mercury and then on to Leeds.
Scanlan holds licenses from both the English FA and UEFA at
a B level and is a candidate for her A level license. She received her
Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business from
While at Mercyhurst, Scanlan was a two-time All-American in 1994 and 1995 and was named the Division II Player of the Year and conference Player of the Year in 1995. Her squad reached the NCAA Tournament three straight seasons from 1993-95.
“Claire is a true professional, but her ability to communicate sets her a part from the rest. We are very lucky to have a coach of this caliber as a member of our staff,” Bentley said.
Bentley, Scanlan and the Trojan soccer team open the 2008
season on August 23 at 3 pm against
