Barnard Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College women's soccer head coach Chris Watkins has announced the addition of Grace Barnard to the staff as an assistant coach.

"We are excited to have Grace join us," said Watkins. "She knows what it takes to win and has proven to develop outstanding goalkeepers."

Barnard comes from the University of New Hampshire, where she served as an assistant coach since 2023.

During her tenure at UNH, Barnard helped guide the Wildcats to an 18-10-6 overall record, including 9-2-4 in America East play. She played a key role in mentoring UNH to consecutive America East Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Barnard guided UNH's defense to become among the best in program history, allowing just 14 goals in 2024, second behind the record of 13 set the year before.

She joined the Wildcats from William & Mary, where she spent a year as an assistant coach, coached the CAA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021, and helped lead the "Tribe" to the 2022 CAA Conference Tournament Quarterfinals. Prior to William & Mary, Barnard was at the helm of the women's soccer program as Head Coach at Assumption College (Div. II) in Worcester, Mass, for four years.

Barnard posted a 29-17-11 record over three seasons (2017-19 – no season in 2020 - COVID). In total, she coached 13 Northeast-10 All-Conference/All-Academic selections and 11 All-New England honorees. She led the Greyhounds to the 2018 Northeast-10 Conference Championship match.

Prior to taking over the reins at Assumption, Barnard spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Dartmouth College. During her time in Hanover, N.H., the team never finished under .500 while 12 players earned all-conference honors and the team had at least one all-region selection each season. She started her coaching career at Le Moyne where she was an assistant coach for three seasons (2011-14).

Barnard holds a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma, a Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma and a Soccer Management and Development Diploma, along with a United States Soccer Federation "D" License.

Barnard played for William & Mary from 2007-10, serving as the program's starting keeper in her final two seasons. Barnard helped the Tribe to three CAA Tournament appearances and a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round both times. Barnard started 30 of her 37 career appearances, posting a 1.21 goals against average. She totaled 124 career saves and notched 11 shutouts.

Barnard Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach

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