Hayden Hollinger joined The Citadel women’s soccer team as a graduate assistant coach in July of 2019. He helps with the day-to-day running of the program, including creating and running training sessions.
In 2019, the Bulldogs recorded six wins, including the program’s first-ever victory over North Dakota, a 2-0 road victory over rival VMI, and a 1-0 win over ETSU in the opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament.
The win over VMI on the road marked the first road victory for the Bulldogs in the series since the 2014 season, and with the 2018 win at home, marks just the second time in series history that the Bulldogs won back-to-back games over the Keydets. The win over ETSU in the opening round of the 2019 SoCon Soccer Championships not only gave the Bulldogs a win over the Bucs in two of the last three seasons, a first in series history, but it was also the first time in program history that The Citadel had notched a tournament win in back-to-back years as the 2018 Bulldogs defeated Wofford, 3-2, in Spartanburg.
The 2019 Bulldogs set the program record for most shots on goal in a season with 141, and the Bulldogs’ goalkeepers matched the program record of five shutouts. Two of Ciaran’s teams, the 2016 and 2019 squads, have achieved the mark.
For the second straight year, the Bulldogs scored at least 30 goals with 31, marking the first time in program history the ‘Dogs had back-to-back season with at least 30 goals scored. The 31 goals scored rank fifth in program history, while the Bulldogs’ 27 assists rank third behind the 2018’s program-record 30 and the 2009 team’s 29.
After the 2018 season saw six first-time goal scorers, matching the program record set by the 2002 squad and matched by the 2010 team, the 2019 team set the program record with eight first-time collegiate goal scorers, including Kate Manzione, Paige Davis, Jenna Adcock, Suzuka Yosue, Hayley Long, Marie Le Gallo, Ani Ford and Brooke Cheatham. Yosue also matched the program record of seven assists on the year.
Following the season, Yosue earned All-Southern Conference second team honors, becoming the first Bulldog since 2014 to earn the honor. Yosue also earned SoCon All-Tournament honors, the first for a Bulldog since the 2010 campaign, and was named to the All-Freshman team. Ten Bulldogs were named to the Academic All-SoCon Team, the most in program history.
Hollinger comes to The Citadel from Global Premier Soccer where he served as Tournament Director and Academy Coach since June of 2018. In that role, he directed the planning of the James Island Youth Soccer Club (JIYSC) Fall and Spring soccer tournaments and had a hand in sales, marketing, field planning, costs and other key components of running a highly successful tournament. He organized the Fall tournament to host over 235 teams, and directed the Spring tournament to bring in 37 teams over target.
He also managed the JIYSC social media channels to inform players, families and friends of the club on the latest programs, as well as day to day updates regarding the club.
Hollinger also served as a youth soccer coach for three academy teams for JIYSC, which included planning and coaching sessions and other roles fundamental to leading a club team and creating an engaging learning environment for children ages 8-17 years. Included in the teams Hollinger had a hand in coaching were the 2010 Boys team to No. 1 in the state and country for their age group, and the 2007 boys to No. 4 in South Carolina. He also coached the Boys 2004 and 2008 Elite teams for Summer 2019.
Prior to arriving in Charleston, Hollinger attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas where he was a two-year starter at center back, earning a spot as a team captain his senior year. He also competed for the Texas United PDL in the summer of 2017.
Holling
er spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., helping the Hawks to the 2014 and 2015 Sunbelt Conference Championship crowns and NCAA Tournament appearances.
A native of Inverness, Scotland, Hollinger earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Mary’s in May of 2018. He is currently working on his MBA at The Citadel.
