GREENSBORO, N.C. – Michael Shenigo became Guilford College’s ninth head women’s soccer coach in the program’s 28-year history Tuesday. The appointment marks the first college head-coaching position for the former University of Scranton and Lynchburg College assistant, who has participated in each of the past five NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournaments.
Shenigo replaces Eric Lewis, who directed Guilford to a school-record 101-109-15 ledger in 11 seasons. Lewis accepted the head women’s soccer coaching position at Lycoming College in June.
Shenigo spent two seasons directing the goalies and defenders for coach Colleen Murphy’s Scranton team that went 22-11-8 with postseason appearances in 2011 and 2012. The Royals captured a pair of Landmark Conference titles in his tenure and had seven students earn 11 all-league honors, including 2011 Landmark Defensive Player of the Year Amanda Kresge. In addition, three Scranton students earned All-Mid-Atlantic region recognition from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). As Murphy’s top assistant, Shenigo contributed to many facets of the successful program, including recruiting, conditioning and scouting. He also had a hand in organizing Scranton’s summer trip to Europe in 2012.
The 2008 Lynchburg alumnus started coaching as an assistant with his alma mater’s women’s soccer team, one of Guilford’s Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) rivals. Shenigo helped Dr. Todd Olsen’s club post a 56-7-10 mark in three seasons, which included a 2009 national semifinal berth and a 2008 national quarterfinal appearance. Lynchburg won two ODAC Tournament titles (2008, 2010) and had 13 students combine for 19 all-conference selections, including two of league Players of the Year. With Shenigo on the sidelines, the Hornets produced three performance All-Americans and 15 All-South honorees. In addition to coaching, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Lynchburg in 2010.
Shenigo has supplemented his college coaching with an advanced national diploma from the NSCAA and significant work as a camp instructor. For the past three years he has worked the Navy Women’s Soccer camp and served as assistant director for Lynchburg’s camp in 2010 and 2011.
A three-year soccer letter winner at Lynchburg, Shenigo helped the Hornets post a 42-28-6 record and win the 2006 ODAC Tournament title in his tenure. He graduated with a degree in sport management.
Shenigo inherits 16 letter winners returning from last season’s 4-15 Guilford team. The Quakers open the season Aug. 31 vs. Covenant College.