(SMU Athletics)
In a time that has brought numerous new coaches to the hilltop, SMU women’s soccer is now also welcoming a new coach this season.
They join the men’s basketball team, who hired Larry Brown in mid-April, as the two teams to have new coaches this year.Chris Petrucelli is beginning his first year as head women’s soccer coach.
Before coming to SMU, Petrucelli spent 12 years as the head coach at Texas and eight at Notre Dame. He is eighth in NCAA career wins compiling 342, including victories with SMU this season against Oral Roberts and Arkansas.
Petrucelli is not really sure what to expect from the team this year, but he does have confidence in his girls.
“This is a process of figuring out who we are, what we are. I don’t know how good we can be, but I know these girls believe we can be pretty good,” Petrucelli said.
After having success at Texas and Notre Dame, Petrucelli will certainly try to incorporate much of what he did at the past universities at SMU.
“You learn a lot of things as time goes along that can be useful wherever you go. Every place has its own environment. The most important thing is to play to your strengths, figure out what will work here and try to limit your weaknesses as much as you can,” Petrucelli said.
He has only been around roughly three months but Petrucelli already feels right at home in the SMU community. He is a father of two sons and a daughter.
“I have a daughter on the team that wanted to come here, I also have a son that wants to be on the men’s team next year, so family was definitely a huge reason I came to SMU,” Petrucelli said.
He certainly feels SMU is the right place for him. Petrucelli said that he was looking for a place where he can be successful and enjoy living.
These were the two major keys factors in his decision to come to SMU. He also sees similarities in the style of school between here and Notre Dame.
Petrucelli described the area surrounding SMU as being urban but once you step on the campus it is definitely not urban. This is similar to Notre Dame for him, a more rural school, in the sense that both are smaller private schools, which he likes.
As for the all-important move to the Big East, Petrucelli was beaming when he talked about the impending move set to take place at the beginning of next season.
“I’m excited about it, I spent some time there when I was at Notre Dame. Soccer is an important part of that conference and it will be nice to be a part of it again,” Petrucelli said.
Mallory Baum, a senior midfielder and team captain, has already noticed the positive impact this new coach will have on this team.
“We’re lucky to get [Petrucelli] this year, bringing his experience from all levels to help us. He has worked with several different teams and knows how to deal with wins and losses in a way that makes us want to play harder and better,” Baum said.
“His knowledge of the game and our recovery needs makes us confident he can lead us to the next level.”
With Petrucelli’s impressive track record of making programs successful, in the coming years, starting this year, there is excitement and hope following this team.
