Feldman brings winning tradition to Boston University women’s soccer

Since its promotion from a club sport to the varsity level in 1995, the Boston University women’s soccer program has evolved into one of the premier college soccer institutions in the Northeast.

Throughout the years, the Terriers (4-3-1) have captured 10 conference tournament titles and made 11 NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the tournament’s second round four times. Over 100 BU players have received All-Conference honors, with the program boasting an overall record of 255-116-35.

Behind all the Terriers’ success has been coach Nancy Feldman. A 10-time Conference Coach of the Year and two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America Regional Coach of the Year award winner, Feldman has built the program from the ground up.

The transformation was especially evident last season, as Feldman led the Terriers to a Patriot League title in their first year in the conference, an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament and a No. 25 national ranking.

For Feldman, the reigning Patriot League Coach of the Year, the journey began twenty years ago when she coached soccer and basketball at the Division III level at Plymouth State University. After five years and several winning seasons at Plymouth, the Needham native decided it was time for her to take the next step and become a Division I coach. BU presented her with a chance to be closer to home.

“BU was a Division I head coaching job in a sport I love in my hometown. Well, Needham is my hometown, but there’s no Division I college in Needham,” Feldman said. “My family is from here and, not that Plymouth was far away, but BU gave me an opportunity to be closer, and it gave me an opportunity to coach one sport and have it be a sport I love.”

Soccer is in Feldman’s blood. At the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Feldman played forward and midfield, and still holds the school record for goals and points in a single game, notching four scores in a 1980 contest against the State University of New York at Cortland. She is also tied for seventh in total goals in a season with 13.

Feldman graduated from UMass in 1983 with a degree in Public Health, and three years later, she began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Smith College. She then returned to UMass as an assistant for the 1987 campaign, helping guide the team to the NCAA Division I championship game before embarking on her own head coaching career.

Although having success on the field is a focal point for Feldman, whose BU teams captured six straight America East titles before moving to the Patriot League, she said she especially appreciates the way the university places its primary emphasis on education.

“Boston University is a great institution with great resources that supported the program from the get-go and has a philosophy academically that’s first and foremost why student-athletes are here, and I believe in that,” Feldman said. “I feel like it matches my philosophy as a coach and an educator. I’m not a coach. I’m a coach-educator, and I think BU fits that.

“That’s something that I learned when I went along, because 20 years ago, I’m not sure I understood that as much, but it worked out really well because the way we think about college athletics is similar, so it’s been a good fit, and we have been well-supported.”

In nearly every season under her direction, the Terriers have posted double-digit win totals. Feldman attributes some of this success to the type of athlete that BU appeals to.

“We attract some really terrific student athletes,” Feldman said. “They’re hard workers and incredibly motivated. It’s been a joy. I’ve been really lucky to be here.”

Feldman says her favorite — as well as the most important — aspect of her job is overseeing the development of her players as they transition into adulthood.

“I love being in a position to support young women growing and developing as people, as leaders, as ready for life, and becoming stronger,” Feldman said. “Being a part of their development is absolutely the most special thing. The players and the development, that absolutely is number one.”

Feldman, who has reached 347 overall wins in her coaching career, was presented with the prestigious Honorary Scarlet Key, which acknowledges a faculty or staff member who has made a positive influence on student life, at the conclusion of the 2008-09 campaign.

For now, Feldman is focused on trying to develop this year’s squad, which has fallen into a bit of a rut. After starting the season with a 4-1 record that included thrilling wins over Boston College and Providence College and a double-overtime loss to a No. 14 University of South Carolina team, BU has gone winless in its last three games.

By dropping a 1-0 decision to the University of San Francisco on Sept. 7, the Terriers ended an almost two-year undefeated streak at Nickerson Field. BU is also in the midst of a 190-minute scoreless streak.

As the team enters Patriot League play this weekend against the United States Naval Academy, who handed BU its only loss in conference play last season, it will be up to Feldman to right the ship and help the Terriers defend their conference title.

Although the road ahead may be bumpy, Feldman embraces the tests of her job — a job she enjoys immensely and takes great pride in.

“I love sports, and I love the challenge of sports and putting a team together and making it as great as it can be and putting all the parts together,” Feldman said. “Daily competition and being on the field and working with the ball is great. The idea of being a part of sport and getting to make a living playing soccer, my brothers would kill for this job.”