Transylvania University Men's Soccer

Transylvania alum and former All-American Matt Vogel enters his seventh season at the helm of the Transylvania mens soccer program for the 2020 season. Over the course of Vogels previous six years, the Pioneers mens soccer program has made a return to glory, a resurgence which hit its latest peak over the past several seasons. In the 2017 season, Vogels fourth as head coach, Transylvania won its first HCAC regular season title in three years and first HCAC tournament title in five years, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Vogel era as well as for the first time since 2012. In 2018, the Pioneers made back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament as they hit their stride at the right time of the season, winning their second straight HCAC Tournament title with the 2018 conference crown. 2017 reaped dividends for the Transylvania mens soccer program from a foundation Vogel established upon his return to Transy in 2014. Under Vogels eye, the Pioneers produced the HCAC Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players in Riley Calhoon and Tyler-Joy Brandon. Vogel was awarded the 2017 HCAC Coach of the Year for his efforts, becoming the first men's soccer coach to be awarded both the HCAC Player of the Year and Coach of the Year during their careers. Vogel designed a back line in 2017 which became a nationally-regarded defensive juggernaut, ranking fifth nationally during the regular season in goals-against average (0.37 GAA) while sophomore goalkeeper Drew Grisham ranked eighth in the country in goals-against average. The Pioneers produced 12 clean sheets in the 2017 season, culminating in Joy-Brandon earning United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American honors. The Pioneers won their first 11 games of the 2017 season, which eventually led to an 8-1 run through the HCAC slate and a regular-season championship. The Pioneers continued their streak through the HCAC Tournament, earning a 2-1 victory over Rose-Hulman for their first HCAC Conference Tournament title since 2012. The Pioneers advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 1-0 to Kenyon in a tightly-contested defensive performance. While the Pioneers run to the NCAA Tournament ended in the first round last season, their 2017 run has set the tone for the next step in the programs evolution. The first four years of his tenure at his alma mater have enabled Vogel to make his own personal imprint upon the program, much in the same way he did during his decorated playing days at Transylvania. The hallmark 2017 campaign built upon a 2016 run that witnessed Transy post its best regular season in four years, finishing 12-3-3 and going 7-1-1 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play.  With a young and talented squad boosted by a backbone of a few key upperclassmen, the Pioneers became regionally ranked by the NSCAA for the first time in five years and finished 2nd in HCAC play, just short of another conference title. Ranked nationally in several offensive and defensive categories, the Pioneers went undefeated at home during the regular season and went their first seven games of the season without defeat. At seasons end, 10 Pioneers earned all-conference honors, including freshman Jason Murillo landing Freshman of the Year honors. Vogels guidance resulted in additional accolades, highlighted by sophomore center back Tyler Joy-Brandon being selected to the NSCAA Great Lakes All-Region Team. In his first season, Vogel led the Pioneers to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title and fell just short of an NCAA tournament bid, falling in double overtime in the HCAC championship. Under Vogel, the Transy offense was the most potent in the conference, averaging 2.5 goals per contest and tallying 31 assists. The Pioneer defense was just as effective, limiting opponents to a mere 0.94 goals per contest. The defensive unit recorded six shutouts, tying an HCAC record. Seven Pioneers earned all-conference honors following the 2014 season, including freshman Riley Calhoon landing Freshman of the Year honors. In his second season, the Pioneers compiled a 5-1-3 record in conference play, limiting opponents to 0.68 goals-against average, which was ranked first in the conference.  The Pioneers advanced to the HCAC tournament semi-finals while producing five all-conference players during the campaign. Vogel is a 2008 Transylvania graduate in exercise science and business administration and former Pioneer varsity student-athlete for three seasons. He received the prestigious 2008 Transylvania Male Athlete of the Year award, while also being a two-time All-American selection by NSCAA and D3Kicks.com, the 2007 Heartland Conference Player of the Year, a three-time NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region selection, a three-time All HCAC selection, a three-Time Transylvania Soccer MVP, and led the team to its first-ever NCAA tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. He also earned a varsity letter in 2004 from the University of Kentucky. Vogel also excelled in the classroom while at Transylvania, maintaining an overall 3.7 GPA, receiving Deans list honors on three separate occasions. Using his knowledge and experience from his time at Transylvania, Vogel went on to earn a Masters of Education in Health Promotion and Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology) with a perfect 4.0 GPA at the University of Kentucky in 2012. Vogel possesses a distinguished coaching resume. In his coaching career, Matt has earned such honors as 2012 NSCAA Div. II KY State Coach of the Year, 2012 KHSAA High School Boys Small Schools Coach of the Year, 2011 Region II Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, and the 2011 Kentucky Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. He has earned these honors as the Head Coach at Mercer County High School, Head Coach at Lexington FC, and Staff Coach with the Kentucky Olympic Development Program. In addition, Vogel earned valuable knowledge as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Kentucky, overseeing several athletics teams during his time there. Vogel holds an A-Senior License from US Soccer and the Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.

Greer helped guide the Pioneers to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title and saw seven members of the 2014 squad earn HCAC honors.  Greer served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III member, Alma College (Mich.), since 2012. While at Alma, Greer helped the Scots to their first winning season since 2000 and led two of his players to All-MIAA honors. Greer has an established coaching career in Lexington serving as a head coach for the Commonwealth Soccer Club for five seasons. Prior to joining Alma, Greer spent the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach for the Lexington Christian Academy girls' soccer program. Greer played collegiately at Asbury University where he was a four-year starter. Greer helped the Eagles to their first KIAC conference championship in school history his sophomore season, the first of three titles in three years. Greer earned All Mid-East Region selection for the NCCAA and was named captain during his senior year. Greer earned a bachelor's in physical and health education from Asbury.