Kirt Adds Becky Edwards and Macaulay Soto To Staff
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee head soccer coach
Joe Kirt announced two additions to his staff on Tuesday, hiring Becky Edwards as assistant coach and
Macaulay Soto as director of operations.
Edwards comes to Tennessee after serving as an assistant coach at Penn for two years, helping lead the Quakers to a 9-5-2 record in 2021 and working directly with the offense which turned in 29 goals over 16 games.
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Becky is a phenomenal addition to our program. We couldn't be more excited for what she brings to our coaching staff, team and athletic department. Her experience as a player and coach will be invaluable to our program's success moving forward," said Kirt.
"She knows first-hand what success and development look like at the highest level, and there is no better mentor for our current and future players, many of whom aspire to achieve similar goals in their careers as Becky has accomplished. She is fully committed to player development on and off the field. We can't wait for her to arrive on Rocky Top after her obligations as an assistant coach with the U.S. U-20 National Team in France later this month."
Prior to her time at Penn, Edwards was a graduate assistant at her alma mater, Florida State, assisting the staff with training and film sessions as the Seminoles mounted an 18-6-0 record en route to a postseason run to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2019 and capturing the ACC title in the fall of 2020, going 11-0 in conference play.
During her playing career, Edwards was an accomplished athlete at both the collegiate and professional levels. A two-time First Team All-America selection, she led Florida State to a 72-18-11 record during her four years, making NCAA Tournament appearances every season and twice advancing to the College Cup.
"Becky Edwards is one of the most outstanding student-athletes we had at FSU during my time there. As a player, she was a coach on the field. Her playing experience, understanding of the game and her positive personality will be a great addition to the Tennessee women's soccer program," said former FSU head coach Mark Krikorian.
She graduated magna cum laude from FSU in 2010 before being drafted as the 12th overall pick in the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer draft, leading FC Gold Pride to a WPS Championship in her rookie season. That was the start of a nine-year pro career which also included titles with Western NY Flash and Portland Thorns, as well as two stints in Sweden.
At the international level, Edwards captained the United States to the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup title, and in 2011 she helped the U.S. U-23 National Team win a championship at the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. Following that performance she earned a call up to the senior USWNT camp.
Soto arrives on Rocky Top having spent five seasons as the director of operations for women's soccer at Virginia Tech. In that role she managed the recruiting database, coordinated equipment and video needs and oversaw all aspects of team travel.
Prior to her time in Blacksburg, Soto spent a season at Carthage College in Wisconsin as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator.
A 2016 graduate of Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pa., she was a four-year letter winner, earning all-conference defensive player of the year honors on two occasions and being named an NSCAA All-American in 2014 and 2015. During her collegiate career, the Falcons were NCAA Division III national champions in 2012 and advanced to the Final Four in 2015.
"We are thrilled to add Macaulay to our staff. She brings a wealth of experience, professionalism, and a selfless approach to our team," said Kirt.
"She will be an integral part of our day-to-day operations and bring new ideas to enhance our student athletes' overall well-being and experience at Tennessee. Building on her success as a NCAA champion and All-American, Macaulay is committed to developing relationships within our team and being a mentor for our players in addition to her operations role."
