Queens University of Charlotte Men's Soccer

Oliver Carias began his career as the head men's soccer coach at Queens in the fall of 2011. He is the second coach in the program’s history. The Royals have advanced to the South Atlantic Conference Championships four of their six years in the league and advanced to the championship match three times. In 2013, the Royals' first year in the SAC, Queens captured the regular season and championship titles. Carias was also named SAC Coach of the Year following the 2013 season, leading the Royals to their first NCAA Championship appearance in six years. In 2018, Carias once again led the Royals to a regular season title as co-champions of the SAC.    Over the years, Carias has coached 30 all-conference, eight all-tournament, and 10 all-state honorees. Additionally, the Royals have had one SAC Offensive Player of the Year, one SAC Tournament MVP and two SAC Freshmen of the Year. Academically, Corey Brown was a two-time SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, winning in 2015 and 2016, while Juan Carlos Carrillo won in 2017 and Pedro Oliveira won in 2018. Brown and Carrillo were also named CoSIDA Academic All-America honorees. Before being promoted to head coach, Carias spent five seasons as the assistant. During his tenure the men’s soccer team reached the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2007, the first time for consecutive appearances. In 2006, the Royals were Carolinas Virginia Athletics Conference (CVAC) Regular Season Champions and they went on to win the Southeast Regional Title before reaching the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament. Carias is no stranger to the men's soccer program. Before joining the coaching staff back in 2006, the 2005 graduate played four years at Queens and led his teams to a 60-10-6 overall record including a 35 game conference winning streak and an undefeated regular season in 2002-03. Ranked as one of the top five soccer players in the nation by USA TODAY (NCAA), Carias helped carry the Queens team to the NCAA tournament in 2002 and 2004. In 2003 the Charlotte Observer tabbed him as the number one soccer player in the Carolinas, the same year Queens maintained an undefeated regular season. The honors for Carias are abundant including earning All-American status and league Freshman of the Year in 2001, being named CVAC Player of the Year in 2003, and being selected for the All-Southeast Regional Team for his entire playing career.  Carias was also named to the All-Conference team after each of his four seasons as a Royal. In commemoration of the CVAC era Carias was named to the 2006 CVAC All-Time team alongside five other former Queens players. As a key playmaker for Queens, he was ranked nationally third in assists per game and fourth in points per game after scoring 43 goals and notching 49 assists in four years. He was also the NCAA-DII leader in assists for 2002 and was second in the nation in points per game in 2003. A native of Guatemala, Carias also has exceptional international experience.  As a member of the Guatemalan Soccer National Team, he has played in 57 international games and visited 27 different countries.  Carias has participated in the U-17 and U-20 Pre-World Cup, the Central American Games, Central and Caribbean Games, Pan-American Games, and the Pre-Olympic Games.   His extensive knowledge of soccer at all levels will prove to be an invaluable tool both on the coaching and recruiting sides of the program. Carias also holds a Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in addition to his bachelor’s degree from Queens University of Charlotte. Coach Carias was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 2011 here at Queens for his outstanding accomplishments as a player. COACH'S SUMMARY Institution Seasons Coached Record Queens (NC) 12 91-96-13 (.488) Career 12 91-96-13 (.488)

Ömer Okyar, originally from Neuss, Germany, embarked on an impressive soccer journey leaving his mark both on and off the field. His connection with Queens University of Charlotte began in 2015 when he became a player for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Team.   In Fall 2021, Okyar transitioned into a pivotal role as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Queens University of Charlotte. Okyar was crucial in guiding the team through the transition from Division II to Division I. This ongoing effort led to a historic inaugural season marked by notable victories, including Ömer's instrumental role in helping the team beat multiple top 40 teams.   Ömer completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Queens University of Charlotte from August 2020 to August 2022, while also earning his Bachelor of Business Administration at the McColl School of Business during his undergraduate years from August 2015 to May 2019.   As a player, Okyar helped the Royals win the South Atlantic Conference league title his senior year. In addition, Okyar guided the Royals to an NCAA Tournament appearance. Okyar holds the penalty kicks record at Queens with nine successful PK’s recorded. Okyar holds a U.S. Soccer D License.   Ömer Okyar is married to Jasmin Singh, a dual sport Queens alum who played women’s soccer and lacrosse.