Head Coach Derek Potteiger will return for his fourth season at the helm of the Gordon College Men's Soccer program in the fall of 2016.
In his debut in 2013, Potteiger led the Scots to their best finish in Gordon history (19-3-0) which included the program's first ever NCAA tournament win, a 1-0 result over Eastern Connecticut State. Named the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Coach of the Year for his efforts, six of his players were selected to the CCC All- Conference Team, four to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-New England Team and ECAC All-Star Team, and one to the NSCAA and D3Soccer All-America teams.
Potteiger's second season in Wenham had plenty of expectations after a magical run to the second round of the NCAA tournament the fall prior. Gordon's young squad didn't reach the school record of 19 wins set in the pervious season, but they battled their way to a Commonwealth Coast Conference championship game appearance. With a 14-5-2 record in 2014, Potteiger's Fighting Scots bested the greatest two-year stretch in program history oringinally set by the 1983-84 teams under Coach Marc Whitehouse, with 33 wins.
During his third season, Potteiger's squad finally took home the elusive Commonwealth Coast Conference championship trophy with an impressive 2-0 win over rival Endicott in Beverly, avenging a loss during the regular season. The Fighting Scots registered their third consecutive season of double-digit victories, finishing the year with a 16-5 record overall. Gordon also made the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second time in three seasons, surprising stalwart Carnegie Mellon in the first round before succumbing to host Franklin & Marshall, 3-1, in the second.
The Fighting Scots have outscored their opponents 144-56 through his first three seasons.
Prior to Gordon, Potteiger worked as an assistant coach at the Naval Academy under head coach Dave Brandt, one of the most successful soccer coaches in NCAA history. An outstanding recruiter, Potteiger helped bring in an influx of talent as Navy has climbed back towards the top of the Patriot League standings.
Before to his tenure with the Midshipmen, Potteiger served as the Cleveland City Stars Reserve Team head coach in 2008, following stints as the club director for the Ambassadors Futbol Club in Twinsburg, Ohio, and as the club director for the Harrisburg City Islanders Super Y program.
He was an outstanding college player at Penn State University, where he started every match during his four years and was a two-time All-American (selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America). After college, he was drafted by the New England Revolution and played for seven seasons in the United Soccer League.
Said Gordon Athletic Director Jonathan Tymann, "We are proud that over one-quarter of our students participate in Gordon athletics, and we are blessed with many talented coaches and athletic administrators who not only train the bodies of our student athletes, but also hone their minds and spirits. Athletics is an integral part of the Gordon experience—another way for students to build character through discipline and perseverance. The athletics program is also a gathering point for us as the Gordon community, where we can rally to a common cause and support our students and coaches as they model the character of Christ for others. Derek understands and subscribes to this culture."
