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.

Ben Federici begins his fourth year as head coach of the Transylvania men’s soccer program ahead of the 2025 season. Federici joins Transylvania from NCAA Division III Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, where he was most recently the Associate Head Coach. "Transylvania men's soccer is a program with a great tradition of excellence,” states Federici on his new stewardship of the program. “I look to honor that tradition by building a program that helps young men become great people and great players during their time.” Over his nine-year coaching career, Federici has quickly carved out a reputation for building winning teams. Federici arrives to the Pioneers from another winning program called the Pioneers at Marietta, his alma mater. During Federici's six-year tenure on staff, Marietta produced five straight winning seasons, highlighted by an 11-6-3 campaign in the 2017 season in which the program finished the campaign ranked seventh in the Great Lakes Region. In his first three years as part of Marietta's coaching staff as an assistant coach, Federici helped power the Pioneers to three consecutive winning seasons, marking the second time in program history that the Pioneers have reached that milestone. Federici was elevated to the title of Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2021 season.  Federici's imprint at Marietta was felt especially on the defensive side of the pitch, where he pushed the team to setting a new school record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. Federici orchestrated a defense which turned in nine clean sheets in the 2016 season and 17 clean sheets total between the 2016 and 2017 campaigns. In Federici's final season at Marietta, junior Dave Beattie won the OAC Defensive Player of the Year award. With Federici on staff, the Pioneers qualified for the OAC Tournament in all five tournament-active seasons of his tenure. Prior to re-joining the men's soccer program at Marietta, Federici spent three years as the assistant men's soccer coach at NCAA Division II University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. His first application of a winning formula occurred at Findlay as the program notched its first winning record in 12 seasons. While at Findlay, Federici helped the Oilers drill five top 25 teams. Federici additionally accrued administrative experience at Findlay as an admissions department liaison to the athletic department. Federici's Marietta roots originated during his playing days for the Pioneers where he won four varsity letters and appeared in 36 matches as a defender. His coaching experience began following an injury in his senior season of play, initializing a transition into a role of student assistant coach. Federici graduated from Marietta College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of Findlay.  

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.

Coach d'Angelo begins his 2nd year as the Men's Soccer Assistant coach with 21 years of coaching experience at the competitive club and high school level in Kentucky. He is currently in his 15th year of coaching on the men's side for Lexington FC (12) and Lexington Sporting Club (3-present), as well as serving as the Path to the Pros Director (U16-U19) in their academy-based organization. During his time at the club level, his teams accomplished multiple state championships and finalist standings. Most recently, he helped guide the 2006 LSC boys to the Midwest Regional semifinal and the 2008 LSC boys to a state championship in 2024 and finalist in 2025. He also brings 7 years of experience from Lafayette High School, during which the program achieved 2 district championships and ended the 2024 season as a state finalist. "I have always had tremendous admiration for this university's commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field. I view it as a privilege to have been given the opportunity to continue my passion for coaching at such a quality soccer program, along with the prospect that it offers to teach young men in a highly competitive environment. I am excited to continue to partner with coach Ben Federici and his vision for what is to come," said d'Angelo. Coach d'Angelo holds a US National C Coaching License. In addition to his coaching experience, Coach d'Angelo comes to the program after 26 years of managerial experience at Lexmark International. While at Lexmark, he led various worldwide operations and supply chain organizations and will continue to apply that skill set as well to grow the soccer program.