Colby is poised for another leap in its athletic program, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Mules’ head soccer coach, Seth Benjamin, was chosen after a rigorous selection process that considered his extensive experience, proven track record, and feedback from various college committees and stakeholders.
Benjamin’s extensive experience at the state, regional, and national levels has been recognized by two Coach of the Year awards in the past six years, a testament to his coaching abilities. Benjamin’s coaching style is characterized by a focus on teamwork, strategic play, and individual player development, aiming to maximize the team’s performance.
Under his guidance, the University of Southern Maine underwent an impressive transformation, compiling a 67-25-9 record over six seasons and qualifying for the NCAA Division III tournament twice in the program’s history. Beyond his tenure at the USM, Benjamin has coached at the University of Vermont, Green Mountain College, the University of New England, and New Hampton School. His coaching credentials from the United States Soccer Federation include a USSFA license, a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and a NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma. Benjamin’s unwavering dedication to the game is one of his greatest strengths. A lifelong soccer enthusiast, four-year starter, and USM graduate himself, Benjamin is eager to hit the ground running with a strong preseason before the fall season begins.
Last season, the Colby Women’s Soccer team finished the year in 10th place under the guidance of second-year head coach Tracey Leone, who was the first American to win both a world championship as a player (1991) and as a coach for the U-19’s (2002). Despite the team’s challenges since 2022, they have shown remarkable resilience and a strong desire to improve. But despite heavy recruitment, the Mules have only improved one ranking in two seasons, and Benjamin hopes to change this.
The fact that Leone had an offer to rejoin the New Zealand team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has only affirmed the need for a change in leadership. The past seven years have seen frequent leadership changes in women’s soccer at Colby; since 2018, there have been four different head coaches. During this period, limited success was achieved, except under Kristin Shaw, who coached from 2016 to 2020 and led Colby to the NESCAC playoffs for the first time since 2014. Shaw successfully reduced the number of goals against the team, increased shots on target, and led 30 players to win NESCAC All-Academic Awards. Following her departure, Beth Label served as the interim head coach, and the team finished last in the NESCAC with a 4-8-2 record. Like Leone, the Mules have been searching for a fresh approach, and they think Benjamin can give it to them.
Looking ahead to the fall 2024-2025 season, Colby is eager to build on recent successes, including wins against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a tie with Bates College. With Benjamin’s expertise in squad rebuilding, the team is optimistic about their future. To achieve this goal, the Mules will rely on their current upperclassmen as well as recruits from the incoming class of 2028. Let’s all rally behind the Colby women’s soccer team and hope for a triumphant season! Given that the Mules last competed in the NESCAC championships nearly six years ago, let’s hope for another miracle—one in which the Mules win the NESCAC Championship for the first time.
~ Darin Gildea `27
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