Jen Simonetti was named the fifth Head Coach in the history of the Spartans’ women’s soccer program on July 2, 2019.

Simonetti brings with her extensive experience as a collegiate coach to the Case Western Reserve women’s soccer program, after previously serving as the Head Coach at both Eastern Oregon University (NAIA) and Marietta College, and making multiple stops as an assistant coach, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Division I), and Division III programs in Oberlin College, Westfield State University, Chatham University and Marietta College.

During the 2021 season, Simonetti led the Spartans to its most successful season in program history, as they advanced to the round of 16 of the 2021 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship. CWRU qualified for the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in school history and second under the leadership of Simonetti. The Spartans went 16-2-2 overall during the campaign and finished the regular season ranked 10^th nationally. The 16 wins were the most victories in a single season in program history, while the finish in the round of 16 was the furthest that CWRU has ever advanced in the national tournament. In addition, Simonetti and her staff were named the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year and also was selected as the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III VII Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.

In her first year as the Spartans head coach, Simonetti led the team to a record-setting, banner year in 2019, reaching the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships for just the second time in program history. The Spartans finished the season with a record of 13-5-1, including an 11-0-1 record in non-conference play. The 13 wins tied a program record for wins in a season with the 2011 squad. The team posted a 2-5-0 record in University Athletic Association play, its most conference wins since 2012, and finished tied for fifth, its highest finish since 2011. In addition, Simonetti guided sophomore Anika Washburn to several postseason honors, including a UAA Offensive Player of the Year honors, a D3Soccer.com All-America Second Team selection and a CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team selection.

During her two-year stint with Eastern Oregon, Simonetti helped turn around a program that had experienced limited success before her arrival. From her first season with the team in 2012 to her second campaign in 2013, the team saw an eight-win improvement on its win total, earning her Cascade Collegiate Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors. The Mountaineers made just their second-ever postseason appearance in 2013, and Simonetti coached the first All-CCC First Team honoree in the program’s history.

Simonetti comes to CWRU after spending the 2018 season as Oberlin’s Assistant Coach, and the previous three years as the Assistant Head Coach at Westfield State. She helped coach the Owls to the MASCAC Tournament Championship twice, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in 2015 and 2017, while also recruiting back-to-back conference Rookie of the Year award winners in 2016 and 2017. While at Westfield State, she also served as the Co-Director of Coaching for the Northampton Soccer Club and as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Smith College. Simonetti spent a year at the University of Massachusetts Lowell as the Assistant Coach for the 2014 campaign.

Simonetti began her collegiate coaching career as the assistant at Marietta in 2009, before taking over as the Head Coach for the 2010 season. She went on to serve as the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach and Head Cross Country Coach at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, before moving on to Eastern Oregon.

A standout defender at the University of Dayton, Simonetti earned a spot on the NSCAA All-America Third Team as a senior in 2004. She also claimed the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior, and was a two-time all-conference first team selection during her time with the program. Simonetti was also a starting defender for the Cincinnati Ladyhawks of the W-League while in college.

Simonetti graduated from Dayton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, and has her USSF ‘C’ License and has received multiple United Soccer Coaches Diplomas, including her Director of Coaching, and State and Regional Goalkeeping diplomas.

She currently resides in Fairlawn, Ohio with her husband, Mark, and their three children, Sydney, Charlotte and Jackson.

Simonetti Highlights

• 30-7-3 overall record with CWRU
• 2 NCAA Tournament Appearances (2019, 2021)
• NCAA Round of 16 (2021)
• 2021 UAA Coaching Staff of the Year
• 2021 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III VII Regional Coaching Staff of the Year
• 2021 D3Soccer.com National Coaching Staff of the Year
• Most wins in program single-season history (16 in 2021)
• 4 Academic All-Americans
• 3 All-Americans