Release by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

KANSAS CITY, MO (12/1/2023) – For the fourth year in a row, the Franklin Pierce men's soccer staff have been named United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II East Region Staff of the Year.

The award recognizes head coach Travis Brent, the assistant coaches Diego Thielen and JP Navarro, along with student manager Riley Brooks. The 2023 season has served as Brent, Thielen and Navarro's first season at Franklin Pierce as Brooks is the only returning staff member from 2022.

Through the fall season, the coaching staff has led the team to an 18-0-2 (10-0, NE10) record and secured the program's third consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Championship. Statistically, Brent and his staff have created a well-oiled machine on the field as the team has outscored their opponents 65-14. As the Ravens roll offensively team has been dominant on the other end of the field recording ten shutouts through 20 games. 

At the guidance of the FPU coaching staff, players on the team have launched their careers to new heights including Younes Addar (Castellon, Spain) who earned Northeast-10 Player of the Year and CCA East Region Player of the Year. Rodrigo Parafita (A Coruña, Spain) and Diego Montoya Casillas (Cuenavaca, Mexico) each earned NE10 Defensive Player of the Year and NE10 Goal Keeper of the Year respectively. To tack onto the team's accolades, 15 players on the FPU squad made NE-10 All-Conference, along with six players who were named to the CCA All East-Regional.

According to United Soccer Coaches, 52 coaching staffs received the honor which was decided by vote from other coaching staffs across the East Region. The FPU coaches will be recognized at the College Coaches Awards Ceremony at the USC Convention on Thursday, January 11, 2024 in Anaheim, California.

In addition, the Franklin Pierce staff will be placed on the ballot for National Staff of the Year for Division II. The voting for that award opens on December, 6.

The Ravens will be back in action on Saturday, December 2 against Gannon University in the NCAA DII quarterfinal round at Franklin Pierce at 4PM.