Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Women's Soccer

After joining the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer program as just the third head coach in program history on March 6, 2024, Daniel Clitnovici will enter his second season at the helm of the team in 2025. Clitnovici and his experienced staff led the Islanders to a complete turnaround in his first season with the team in 2024. The soccer program achieved historic highs and several firsts in his debut campaign, which include: -First winning season in program history (10-5-5) -Highest-ever winning percentage in program history (62.5%) -Best Southland Conference finish in program history (2nd place) -Most total wins in program history (10) -Most consecutive wins in program history (5) -Most wins at home in program history (6) -Longest unbeaten streak in program history (7 games) -Most conference points in program history (20) -Most conference shutouts in program history (6) -Most consecutive conference shutouts in program history (4) In addition to these accomplishments, the Islanders also matched their longest-ever run in the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Championships, advancing to the semifinals after taking down No. 7 Lamar in the quarterfinals at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Stadium. Clitnovici brings more than 15 years of collegiate, professional, international and elite level coaching experience to the Island. He is one of the most respected coaches in the country, with a reputable coaching background in the college game, elite level youth game, professional game and international game. He boasts professional coaching licensing with a United States Soccer Federation “A” License and European UEFA “A” License, as well as a United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License. He is also a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching Education Instructor. Prior to joining Islanders Soccer, Clitnovici was the men's head coach at Division III Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa. for two seasons, where he had an immediate impact for the Bears. Among his accomplishments in his two seasons were the most goals scored in a single game (9), the best start in program history (6-1), and just the second winning season (8-7-2) in 20 years. Clitnovici also spent five seasons with Villanova women’s soccer as associate head coach and interim head coach. Clitnovici was an integral part to the improvement of a soccer program that had long spent time at the bottom of the Big East Conference. During Clitnovici’s tenure, Villanova returned to the Big East Conference finals in 2019 for the first time in 10 years with a 10-7-3 season and won a first-round playoff game. Before joining Villanova, Clitnovici spent one season with Ohio State women's soccer, where their season ended in the second round of the NCAA National Tournament. In 2014, he was the head coach of the W-League expansion side Colorado Pride, who he led to a Western Conference playoff final. Clitnovici was named 2014 W-League Coach of the Year after he established a defense that did not concede a single goal at home. Clitnovici also enjoyed success in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids as coach of the Colorado Rapids Women and their U20’s Ladies Team from 2009-14, followed by a stint from 2014-16 as the first assistant coach of the Western New York Flash professional women’s team, where he was also the WNY Flash ECNL Academy Director of Coaching. During his time with the Western New York Flash, Clitnovici was integral in drafting and starting the professional careers of several United States Women’s National team players, such as Samantha Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Lynn Williams, Jaelene Hinkle, and Kristen Hamilton.  Clitnovici also led the Colorado Rapids’ U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012. Before getting in to coaching, Clitnovici enjoyed a professional career that lasted more than 10 years with more than 190 professional appearances in top leagues throughout the world. Clitnovici spent time with Gold Coast United FC in Australia, Universitatea Craiova in Romania, Barnsley FC in England and Apollon Athinon in Greece. In his final professional season in 2008-09, Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano. What they're saying about Coach Clitnovici: Abby Dahlkemper – United States Women's National Team: "I am very fortunate to have been able to work with Daniel during my career. His knowledge of the game, positive motivation and passionate drive to help his players succeed have all personally helped me develop throughout my journey as a professional soccer player. Daniel made me a better player and I will be forever grateful." Nate Lie – University of Kansas Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "I believe Daniel is a great hire for the Islanders soccer program and athletic department. He's a proven winner, man of integrity and a natural relationship builder. Daniel is not only a strong tactician of the game, but also an intentional teacher and developer of student-athletes. He has a proven track record as a head coach and has worked with players at the highest levels in the world. I'd expect the Islanders to make a splash in the Southland Conference very soon."   Josh Walters – James Madison University Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "I am excited for the players and soccer community at Texas A&M University–CC that Daniel is their new head coach. They are getting a very experienced college and professional coach to lead the program. He is a full-circle coach that cares about and will develop players. I can't express enough of how high quality of a hire this is."   Brock Thompson – South Dakota State Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "Congratulations to the Islanders on a fantastic choice to lead their women's soccer program.  Daniel is a true professional whose success and breadth of experience will allow him to elevate the program both on and off the field.  Most importantly, he will invest in the student-athlete in a way that will enhance their student-athlete experience but also show them what is possible with commitment and discipline."   Josh Osit – Seton Hall University Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "Daniel is an incredible hire for Islanders athletics. He will bring with him an innate ability to evaluate and develop talent. The recruiting experience Daniel will bring to the Islanders women's soccer program will no doubt make an immediate impact, and I am so excited to see all that he will accomplish in the Southland (Conference)." Tom Sermanni – Former United States Women's National Team, Head Coach: "I've known Daniel for several years and have always been impressed with his quality of coaching and the care he displays for his athletes. He creates a positive yet demanding high-performance environment that encourages athletes to achieve their best. He is greatly respected within the soccer community by both youth and senior professional coaches and players. He is an outstanding coach." Professional Coaching Education United States Soccer Federation "A" License United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education Instructor United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License United States Soccer Federation GK License European UEFA "A" Diploma Football Federation Australia Grass Roots Diploma Professional Coaching Background 2024-Present           Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (NCAA) – Head Coach 2022-24                    Ursinus College (NCAA) – Head Coach 2017-22                    Villanova University (NCAA) – Associate Head Coach/Interim Head Coach 2016-17                    Ohio State University (NCAA) – Assistant Coach 2014-16                    Western New York Flash (NWSL) – Associate Head Coach/Interim Head Coach 2011-14                    Colorado Rapids (MLS/W-League) – Head Coach 2011-14                    Colorado Rapids U20 (USL) – Head Coach 2010-12                    Rocky Mountain College (NAIA) – Assistant Coach 2008-11                    Colorado Force (W-League) – Assistant Coach

Chloe Roberts joined the staff of head coach Daniel Clitnovici and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in April 2024, and in June 2025, she was officially elevated to the role of Associate Head Coach. The 2025 season will be her second with the program. In her first season on the Island, Roberts helped lead the Islanders to their most successful season in program history, with the team putting together its first winning season while also setting numerous other program records, including longest unbeaten streak (7 games), longest winning streak (5 games), most home wins (6), most consecutive shutouts (4) and most shutouts in conference play (6). In addition to these, the Islanders also came in second in the Southland Conference standings for their highest-ever regular season finish and matched their best postseason performance by advancing to the semifinals of the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Championships.   Roberts joined A&M-Corpus Christi after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Marshall. In her first season with the Herd, she helped them achieve an eight-point improvement in the conference standings from the previous season. Prior to her stint at Marshall, the Plymouth, England native spent the previous eight years with the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where she held multiple leadership roles. She was a graduate assistant from 2014 to 2016, the assistant coach in the fall of 2016, and was then elevated to the head coach from 2017 to 2021. During the time Roberts was the head coach, the Lopers set records in save percentage (.892) and goals against average (0.97) in 2019.   Before beginning her coaching career, Roberts played for the U16-U23 England National Teams in addition to being a four-year letterwinner at the University of North Alabama where she left as one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history.   She set numerous records and won several awards during her time with the Lions, including the 2009 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year when she scored a program record 32 goals in a season and tallied a single-season program record 79 points. She was named National Player of the Year in 2011 and won the 2011 GSC Player of the Year, was first-team all-GSC four times, and was a four-time Division II All-American. Roberts was named the GSC Player of the Decade (2009-12) in 2020 and is the all-time leader in UNA women's soccer history with 93 goals, whilst also being tied for the program lead in career assists at 51. On September 30, 2023, Roberts was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame.   From 2011-2013, Roberts also played for the Colorado Rapids, a professional women's soccer team coached by Clitnovici at the time.   "I've been fortunate enough to have closely watched Chloe grow from a top-level player who received all the accolades to a very good coach and role model," Clitnovici said. "She is guided by her moral compass and has a positive way of motivating and leading our student-athletes. She is a great example of the empowerment we search for in all our student-athletes and staff. I coached her 13 years ago, and to now have her work alongside me is something I'm really proud of. We are very happy to have Chloe on the Island moving this program forward and to call her a colleague and friend."   Roberts graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in fitness management. She then earned her master's degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2016.

Kyle Clark joined the staff of head coach Daniel Clitnovici and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer team as an assistant coach and player development role prior to the 2024 season. The 2025 campaign will be his second with the program. In Clark's first year on the Island, the Islanders put together their most successful season since their inception, posting a program-best second place finish in the Southland Conference regular season standings and advancing to the semifinals of the SLC Women's Soccer Championships. The team also set new program records in a number of different areas, including most total wins (10), longest winning streak (5 games), longest unbeaten streak (7 games), most home wins (6) and most shutouts in conference play (6). Prior to joining the program, Clark served as an assistant coach at Division III Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa.) for five seasons, the last two of which he also worked under Clitnovici. While there, he helped lead the Bears to two different winning seasons, posting a 10-6-1 record in 2021 and an 8-7-2 record in his final campaign in 2023. Before heading to Ursinus, Clark also coached at both Penn State-Abington and his alma mater Tompkins Cortland Community College. At the former, he helped the team to an NEAC Championship in his lone season, and at the latter, he assisted in winning an MSAC title and coached a pair of NSCAA All-Americans. As a player at Tompkins Cortland, he was named an NJCAA Region III All-Tournament selection in 2012.

After a four-year playing career with the Islanders, Kennedy Stelling joined the staff of head coach Daniel Clitnovici and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer team in July 2024. The 2025 season will be her second as an assistant coach. Stelling began her coaching tenure working directly with the goalkeepers and defensive line, helping lead the Islanders to the most successful season in program history in 2024. Under Stelling's guidance, keeper Zoe Theriot was named to the All-Southland Conference Second Team while also winning three different Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week Awards on August 20, August 27 and October 29 and leading the conference in total shutouts with eight. The team also allowed the third-lowest opponent scoring average in the conference (1.20) and also finished third overall in save percentage with a mark of .791. Prior to coaching, Stelling went down as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in Islanders program history, playing in 38 total games and starting 32 across her four years with the team. Among Islanders keepers, the Dallas native ranks third in a number of different statistical categories, including minutes (2,959:58), wins (8), saves (172) and goals against average (1.46). She also sits tied for second in shutouts with seven. Before college, Stelling played at Rowlett High School, where she was named the 6A Goalkeeper of the Year in back-to-back season in 2019 and 2020. Outside of her duties with the soccer program, Stelling works as the supervisor of ticket operations and sales in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi athletics department while also being the Goalkeeper Director for Sting Soccer Club in Corpus Christi. Stelling graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with her Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing in May 2023, and she would later go on to earn her Master's degree in Business Administration and International Business in December 2024.