Athletics > Matt Cushing
Matt Cushing
Head Coach, Men's Soccer
Email: mcushing@wheatonma.edu
Office: Haas Athletic Center
Phone: 508-286-3996
Fax: 508-286-8249
Profile
Entering his 15th season at the helm of the Wheaton men's soccer program, head coach Matt Cushing has compiled one of the highest winning percentages among active NCAA Division III coaches in the country at .763 (214-58-25). He picked up his 200th career victory in the 2006 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament final.
Under Cushing's leadership, Wheaton has qualified for postseason play in each of his 14 seasons, including an NCAA Tournament national semifinal finish in 2003, a national quarterfinal placement in 2001 and additional NCAA bids in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Lyons also captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) title in 1998 and NEWMAC Tournament championships in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Cushing was named regional coach of the year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in 2001, and coach of the year by the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association (EMSCA) in 2000, NEWMAC in 1998 and 2001, and New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) in 1997 and 2001. He is currently the coaching director at the Crusaders United Club in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and has also coached the U17 Olympic Development team in Massachusetts.
A scout for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (MLS), Cushing has groomed five professional players at Wheaton. James Greenslit '06 signed a contract with the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) Western Mass Pioneers, and Dan Antoniuk is with the A-League's Carolina RailHawks. Jim Manganello '99 and Oscar Medina '97 spent time with the Cape Cod Crusaders of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), while Jeremy Long '99 played for the Boston Bulldogs of the A-League. Cushing has also witnessed 10 All-Americans, 33 All-New England selections and seven NEWMAC Player-of-the-Year recipients.
In addition to his success on the field, Cushing performs an active role outside the realm of coaching. He is currently the national chair for the NSCAA Division III rankings committee. Cushing has served as the regional chair of the rankings committee and as the vice president of the NEISL, an organization that recognized him with the NEISL Service Award in 2002. He also handled regional chair duties for the Division III ratings board for three years, while serving on the NCAA Tournament selection committee for four years.
In 1994, Cushing earned a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National "B" license. He received a national diploma from the NSCAA in 1992, followed by an advanced national diploma in 1993.
Prior to coming to Wheaton, Cushing was the assistant coach at Division I power Rutgers University, which advanced to the 1993 NCAA Tournament after capturing the Atlantic 10 Conference title. He also spent the previous two years on the coaching staff at Lafayette College.
A 1988 University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduate with a bachelor's degree in sport management, Cushing was a captain on the 1986 and 1987 Minutemen teams.
This former Parade Magazine high school All-America honoree and 2008 Duxbury (Mass.) High School Hall of Fame inductee led his team to four consecutive state championships.
The Cushing File
| Year | Overall | League | Highlight(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 14-4-3 | n/a | ECAC Tournament |
| 1995 | 13-4-2 | n/a | ECAC Tournament |
| 1996 | 15-3-3 | n/a | ECAC Tournament |
| 1997 | 14-4-1 | n/a | NCAA Tournament |
| 1998 | 18-4-1 | 5-0-1 | ECAC Champs, NEWMAC Champs |
| 1999 | 12-6-1 | 4-2-0 | ECAC Tournament |
| 2000 | 17-3-1 | 4-2-0 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| 2001 | 21-2-0 | 6-0-0 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| 2002 | 15-5-0 | 5-1-0 | NEWMAC Tournament |
| 2003 | 19-3-2 | 5-1-0 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| 2004 | 17-4-2 | 5-1-0 | NCAA Tournament |
| 2005 | 13-5-2 | 5-0-1 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| 2006 | 12-5-4 | 5-1-0 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| 2007 | 14-6-3 | 4-1-1 | NCAA Tournament, NEWMAC Champs |
| Totals | 214-58-25 | 48-9-3 | 14 Seasons |
This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 11/25/08.
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