Lynn University Director of Athletics Dr. Kristen Migliano announced the hiring of Cally Morrill as the next head women’s soccer coach on Friday afternoon. Morrill replaces the departed Chip Dutchik and becomes just the fourth head coach for a women’s soccer program that boasts four national championships. In four years as a head coach, she has compiled a 57-17-7 record.
“Lynn University is thrilled to have Coach Cally Morrill take the lead of our women’s soccer program,” said Migliano. “Cally has an established record as a competitor and an educator and her successes as a player and a coach will bring incredible strength and vision to the Lynn soccer program. Under Cally’s new vision for the program, the team will be poised for success as we embark on the inaugural season in the new Bobby Campbell Stadium.”
“I would like to thank President Ross and Director of Athletics Dr. Kristen Migliano for the opportunity to join the Lynn University Athletics Department,” said Morrill. “I am honored and humbled in their confidence in me. Lynn is an exceptional University with phenomenal facilities, prestigious academic programs and dedicated faculty, staff and students who are proud to be part of the Lynn community.”
Morrill arrives in Boca Raton after two highly successful years at Lenoir-Rhyne where she guided the Bears to a 30-6-4 overall record, 18-1-1 South Atlantic Conference mark, two regular season conference titles, one conference tournament championship and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Her first season as head coach in Hickory, N.C., was one to remember as she helped guide L-R to a 16-2-2 record, the No. 1 seed in the SAC Tournament, the second SAC Tournament Championship in program history and a NCAA Tournament bid. Morrill also claimed SAC Coach of the Year recognition and saw eight players garner All-SAC accolades, including a Freshman of the Year honor.
The Bears continued their success in year two with higher expectations. They finished 14-4-2 overall and 9-1-1 in league play, once again earning a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament before falling in the semifinals. Lenoir-Rhyne collected another No. 1 seed, this time in the NCAA Tournament, but fell to Belmont Abbey in penalty kicks.
In both seasons L-R earned national-rankings and collected 13 All-SAC honors.
“After talking with President Ross and Dr. Migliano, it is evident they believe the women’s soccer program has the tools to regain national recognition” Morrill added. “This is a program rich with history, new facilities and a perfect location, which combines to produce a perfect environment for a soccer powerhouse. My goal and task is to take this program to the top of not only the Sunshine State Conference but the south region and national level.”
The Fighting Knights will be looking for some of Morrill’s championship pedigree as they have qualified for the NCAA Tournament just once since 2000. Lynn claimed NAIA national titles in 1992, 1994 & 1995 before winning a NCAA Division II title in 1998. In all, the Blue & White have made 12 postseason appearances in program history with the last coming in 2011 when they reached the Sweet 16.
Last year’s squad went 4-8-4 overall and 1-4-3 in the vaunted Sunshine State Conference. Lynn returns 15 letterwinners and 10 starters, including former First Team All-SSC selection Kirstie Schults, goalkeeper/midfielder Meghan Dolan and defender Georgia Robert.
“My duty is to ensure Lynn women’s soccer reflects and enhances the academic mission of the institution, and to enrich a culture within the team where the players are proud to represent the program” stated Morrill. “Undoubtedly, the Sunshine State Conference is extremely competitive; however, the current talent on the team, combined with the talent Lynn can attract, motivates and excites me to begin the momentum towards the 2014 season.”
Morrill began her head coaching career at Lees-McRae and guided the Bobcats to a 27-11-3 mark. In her final season in Banner Elk, N.C., she led her squad to a 13-5-3 record, won the program’s first Conference Carolinas Championship since 2000 and earned a berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in school history. Morrill was named the league’s 2011 Coach of the Year for her efforts.
Lenoir-Rhyne was the start of Morrill’s overall coaching career as she served as the assistant coach from 2007-09. The Bears had just one winning season in the three years prior to her arriving with new head coach Adrian Blewitt and seven in total since the program’s inception in 1990. While the first year proved challenging, a 7-10-2 overall mark, she helped develop a winning culture to a program that has posted six consecutive winning seasons and averaged 15.5 wins per year.
Morrill was a four-year starter for the University of Alabama (2002-05), where she served as team captain and was named the squad’s MVP as a senior. She started 55 of a possible 58 games with the Crimson Tide, recording nine goals, nine assists and 27 points as a midfielder. Morrill earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Alabama as well.