UBC Women’s Soccer Head Coach Andrea Neil Steps Down

VANCOUVER, BC –Andrea Neil has chosen to resign from herposition as head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccerprogram, effective November 10, 2014. After two years with theuniversity, Neil is leaving to pursue other opportunities beyondcoaching.

“I am very proud of my time here at the university, bothas a coach and as a player,” Neil said. “I think theprogram has a very bright future, and I’m very excited thatUBC was able to secure the 2015 CIS Women’s SoccerChampionship. I think the program is headed in a great directionand will continue to do well."

In her two years at the helm as head coach, Neil’s careerrecord was 15-8-5.

Neil took over as head coach in 2013 and led the Thunderbirds toan 8-1-3 regular season. UBC eventually would lose in the CanadaWest bronze medal game. In 2014, the Thunderbirds finished 6-4-2 inthe regular season and were knocked out of the playoffs in theCanada West quarter-finals by Trinity Western.

A former captain of the Thunderbirds, Neil played in themidfield for UBC for 5 years leading the team to a CIAU (CIS)Championship in 1994, before going on to a long career with theWhitecaps and the National Team.

“Neil, in a relatively short period of time, hasreinvigorated the foundation of the UBC women's soccer team,setting the team up for future growth. This was only possiblethrough strong leadership, planning, and expertise, said AshleyHoward, UBC’s Managing Director. “On behalf ofUBC, I am grateful to Coach Neil for all that she has broughtto the transformation of the program, and look forward tocelebrating Neil's future successes.”

The search for a new head coach will begin immediately.