Meredith Flaherty, a US Soccer Federation A license coach and All-America goalkeeper for the University of Florida’s 1998 NCAA national championship team, joined the Sam Houston State University athletic staff as assistant women’s soccer coach in July 2012.
In her first season with the Bearkats, goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton was recognized as Southland Conference “Freshman of the Year” after allowing only 17 goals in 16 matches with six shutouts.
Flaherty played professionally for the New York Power of the WUSA and the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the W-League.
She was a three-year starter and All-ACC selection for Clemson from 1994-97 and earned “Defensive Most Valuable Player” honors for the Florida Gators in 1998. She was a US National Team pool member from 1996 to 2001.
“Meredith has been such an asset for this program. She brings great knowledge and work ethic to the team,” SHSU head women’s soccer coach Tom Brown said.
Flaherty served as assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of Florida and LSU before becoming director of coaching for the Manatee Soccer Club in Bradenton, Fla., from 2000 to 2003. For the next eight years, she served as director of coaching for the Virginia Rush Soccer Club in Virginia Beach.
Her duties in Virginia Beach included seasonal training and game programming for individual teams, player development for competition in the Elite Clubs National League and training and game day coaching of individual teams and players. As an administrator, she was responsible for management of the professional coaching staff and coordinated scheduling, registration of players, and parent and coaching education programs.
Flaherty served as regional goalkeeper coach for seven years, traveling with regional teams to national and international soccer events. She also served as the Virginia Youth Soccer State ODP team coach.
She also has served as coach of the Texas Rush Soccer Club. She worked in 2011 as a volunteer coach with the Bearkats.
