Franciscan University of Steubenville Men's Soccer

Coach Ridenour became the Head Coach of Franciscan starting with the 2021 season. Franciscan won their second PAC Championship in program history in 2024 when they beat #3 Grove City 2-1 at Trinity Health System Field. That earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament where they fell 1-0 to #19 Ohio Northern. Eight Barons earned All-PAC honors this season. Ryan Miller was named PAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach Ridenour earned his first PAC Coach of the Year honors.  For the third season in a row, the Barons won double-digit games and claimed the #2 seed in the PAC in 2023. They fell to Grove City in the PAC Semifinal, but they would earn a bid into the ECAC Championship. They picked up their first ECAC win in the First Round over Pitt.-Greensburg. Six Barons earned Al-Conference honors which included Lucas Cross being named PAC Offensive Player of the Year. The 2022 season resulted in the program's first ever trip to the NCAA National Championship, as the Barons won their first conference championship. Franciscan was able to defeat Bethany 2-1 in the PAC Championship at Trinity Health System Field to punch their ticket into the bracket. Nick Miller earned PAC Player of the Year Honors to headline a group of eight players to earn All-Conference honors, the most ever in one season at Franciscan.  The 2021 season resulted in Franciscan's first PAC Championship appearance, as Coach Ridenour led the Barons to 11 wins in his first season at the helm. The Barons earned the #2 seed in the PAC, as they held a 7-2 conference record. Seven Barons earned postseason honors which ties a program record for most in a season. Sebastian Koehler and Nick Miller were the two to be named to First Team All-PAC. Jonathan Schriner was named PAC Newcomer of the Year. Miller also was named Third Team All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches, and Miller and Koehler were each named Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Third Team All-Ohio.  On July 14, 2021, Athletic Director Scott Greve announced the hiring of Brent Ridenour as the Head Coach of the men's soccer program.  Coach Ridenour takes the reigns after leading Ohio Northern University for 21 seasons from 1998-2018. During his time at ONU, Ridenour racked up seven OAC conference championships. In 2012, after going 25-3 in the regular season and winning the conference title, Ridenour led the Polar Bears through the NCAA Tournament all the way to the NCAA Division III National Championship Game. During his coaching tenure, Ridenour tallied 306 wins and when the men's soccer team takes the field on September 1st against Penn State Altoona, he will have the 16th most wins of all active Division III coaches. Ridenour graduated from ONU in 1995 after being a standout soccer and baseball player. He is still second in program history in career goals scored, tallying 56 during his career. Ridenour earned a master's degree from Bowling Green State University in 1999. Year by Year Results at Franciscan Year Record Pct. PAC PAC Tournament NCAA Tournament 2024 13-2-5 .775 7-0-3 / 1st Champions First Round 2023 12-6-3 .643 6-1-3 / 2nd Semifinal 2022 12-4-5 .690 6-2-2 / 2nd Champions First Round 2021 11-6 .647 7-2 / 2nd Runners-Up Totals 48-18-13 .690 26-5-8   Year by Year Results at Ohio Northern Year Record Pct. OAC OAC Tournament NCAA Tournament 2018 13-7-2 .636 4-5 / t5th Runners-Up 2017 12-6-2 .650 5-3-1 / t3rd Quarterfinals 2016 17-2-4 .826 6-1-2 / 2nd Runners-Up First Round 2015 17-5-1 .761 8-1-0 / Champs Champions First Round 2014 12-8-1 .595 5-3-1 / 4th Semifinals 2013 18-4-0 .818 8-1-0 / Champs Champions First Round 2012 25-3-0 .893 9-0-0 / Champs Champions Runner-Up 2011 20-3-2 .827 8-0-1 / Champs Champions Sweet 16 2010 17-5-1 .754 7-1-1 / 2nd Champions First Round 2009 15-3-4 .742 8-0-1 / Champs Runners-Up First Round 2008 20-6-1 .753 5-3-1 / 3rd Champions Elite 8 2007 14-6-2 .667 5-2-2 / 4th Semifinalist 2006 16-3-5 .736 6-1-2 / Champs Champions Second Round 2005 9-9-1 .491 3-5-1 / t6th 2004 13-7-1 .635 7-2-0 / 2nd Semifinals 2003 12-9-0 .571 7-2-0 / Tri-Champs Semifinals 2002 9-7-4 .517 2-5-2 / 7th 2001 11-7-2 .583 5-4-0 / t5th 2000 16-5-0 .762 8-1-0 / Co-Champs Semifinals 1999 10-9-1 .517 4-3-1 / 4th Semifinals 1998 12-8-2 .576 5-4-0 / 4th Runners-Up 21-Year Totals 308-122-36 .700 125-47-15

Miller was named Interim Head Women's Soccer Coach in advance of the 2024 season.  In his first collegiate season, the Barons won four games, including a non-conference win over Otterbein, who was receiving votes in the National Rankings at that time. Eva Dexter led the charge offensively, as she had 30 points en route to be named PAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-PAC. "As a distinguished graduate of Franciscan who excelled as a player and proven himself in the coaching ranks, said Director of Athletics Danny Andersen. I am confident that he will continue the tradition of competing for PAC titles, building a formative culture, and developing student-athletes on and off the field. He knows his way around the program, is committed to the Franciscan ethos, and will rally around the pillars of the Athletic Department vision: Forming Disciples – Developing Leaders – Pursuing Excellence. With Coach Miller taking the helm, I believe the future of our Women's Soccer has been solidified." Miller served as an Assistant Soccer Coach for both the men's and women's programs during the 2023 season. He would help lead both teams to postseason play, as the Women's Soccer team made it to the PAC Championship. He also oversaw the spring non-traditional season for the women's program, as Sarah Salamida stepped down from her Head Coach position. Miller is also heavily involved with soccer camps and tournaments in his role as Director of Soccer at the Dayton Sports Complex and as Assistant Director for Ohio and Pennsylvania 3v3 Soccer Tournaments. ""First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity, said Miller. I am extremely honored and humbled to lead the Franciscan Women's Soccer Program. This program is rooted in tradition and has seen continued success in recent years, all while striving to glorify God in all they do. I'd like to thank Danny Andersen, Alexis Basil, and the hiring committee for giving me this opportunity to lead this program into the future. I am extremely passionate about this University and its mission and believe that I can help take this program to the next level." Miller has received US Soccer Coaching Licenses in the 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, andd 11v11 Grassroots areas. As a player, Miller played 86 games over his five-year career at Franciscan, including 85 starts, both of which are the most in program history. He was named First Team All-Conference four times, as well as being named PAC Player of the Year in his final season. That year he helped lead the Barons to their first PAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. The midfielder earned All-Ohio and All-Region honors twice.    Year by Year Results at Franciscan Year Record Pct. PAC PAC Tournament NCAA Tournament 2024 4-12-1 .265 3-6-1 / 8th Totals 4-12-1 .265 3-6-1  

Years of service: This is my 3rd tour at Franciscan University.  I was a student from 1992-1996.  I returned as a T.O.R. Friar from 2004-2007 and then I just returned for my current assignment here in the summer of 2019. Year Ordained: 2006 Sport Affiliated With: Men's Soccer Inspirational Bible Verse: John 10:10: "I have come that you might have life and life to the full." Faith Journey: I am the oldest of four children and my parents raised us with a love for Christ and participation in the faith.  We received our Sacraments in the Catholic Church and also had rich experiences in other Christian Church’s (going to Vacation Bible School and Church camps).  After graduating from a Catholic High School I came to Franciscan University where I met people who loved Jesus Christ and the Church and I was inspired to go deeper in my faith.  I had a wonderful experience studying in Austria where I began to think about being a Priest.  After serving for a year, doing retreat ministry for youth with the National Evangelization Teams (NET) I entered the Franciscans, Third Order Regular (T.O.R.)  I have been a Friar for 20 years and a Friar Priest for 13 years.  I have served in University Campus Ministry, Vocations Ministry and Formation Ministry (training our Men to be Franciscans).  I am happy to be back at FUS serving as Vice President of Franciscan Life.