5/10/23
Tina Murphy is in her third year at the helm of the women's soccer team at USC Aiken.
In the second year under Murphy, USC Aiken recorded its highest finish in the PBC since 2006 (5th), which was the best finish for the program since being 4th in 2006. She guided the program to eight shutouts, tying the school record. Additionally, the eight-point increase in PBC play was the biggest jump by the program in school history and was the biggest increase of any PBC school in 2022.
She coached Megan Gettys, who became the program's first PBC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, it was the first time in program history anyone garnered an "of the year" accolade.
Gettys and defender Mackenzie Cochrane picked up all-conference honors. Cochrane earned second-team honors while Gettys was a first-team selection. It was the first time USC Aiken had two all-league players since 2006.
Gettys picked up two PBC Player of the Week honors, which is more than any student-athlete in program history - and the first time anyone in the program garnered two awards in the same season.
During her first year at the helm, she guided USC Aiken to the PBC Tournament for the first time since 2017. The No. 7 seed marked the highest for the program in the event since 2008.
She coached all-tournament team honoree Tashiana Kwatowski.
Murphy led the program to the PBC Tournament in back-to-back years after the program reached postseason play just twice the previous 12 seasons.
Murphy, a veteran of NCAA Division I and NAIA soccer, joined the Pacers after three years at the helm of Montreat College in Montreat, N.C. Murphy took over a program that was ranked 190 out of 195 NAIA teams and has helped the program soar into the top 40 in the country (No. 36 out of 128 that played in the fall of 2020). She was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for her effort in her third season.
In the three years prior to her taking over the Cavaliers’ program, Montreat had two total wins in conference play. By the third season, the squad had a .708 winning percentage.
She helped the defense reduce the number of goals allowed from 68 the year before her arrival to just eight in the fall of 2020. During the same time, the offense went from a nine-goal campaign in 2017 to 38 in 2020 despite playing fewer matches.
While at Montreat, Murphy coached Jackie Montes, who picked up honorable mention All-America honors. Montes also garnered AAC Player of the Year honors and was a first-team all-league selection after leading the league in goals. Murphy also recruited and coached Micah King, who earned Freshman of the Year honors and all-conference accolades. Murphy also coached two more all-conference honorees - Zoe Frenier and Sydney Jordan, while with the Cavaliers.
Not to be outdone off the field, one-third of Montreat’s team was named to the league’s all-academic team while the overall team GPA stood at 3.43.
Prior to her arrival at Montreat, Murphy was the Elite Training coach for one of the largest youth clubs in the country – North Carolina FC, further developing herself as a coach and continuing to establish and strengthen her recruiting ties in the Southeast. Murphy was responsible for tryout evaluations and leading training sessions while possessing high demonstration ability as a coach.
From 2011-13, Murphy served as the assistant coach at Division I Liberty University for three seasons. There, she developed key recruiting relationships throughout the Southeast region. With the Flames, she recruited prospective student-athletes, prepared film and match analysis, assisted in the planning and training sessions, coordinated all aspects of travel, designed and led spring and summer workout programs and ran individual player development training sessions.
From 2008-10, she was the head coach of Praia Grande Brazil as she pioneered a first-year team competing in the 1
st Division Professional league in Sao Paulo. Her team placed in the top four of every event they entered.
Murphy has also been the head coach of the Triangle United Soccer Association, Central Virginia United Soccer Club and the Olympic Development Program.
A Walter Panas H.S. graduate in New York, Murphy was a Parade All-American and was named one of the top five defenders nationally. She played for the University of North Carolina, winning four national championships and five ACC titles during her time. Murphy was selected to the U-20 Women’s National Team pool, was on the ACC honor roll and made the Dean’s List under legendary Hall of Fame coach Anson Dorrance.
After earning her bachelor of science in exercise and sport science in 2000 from UNC, Murphy played semi-professionally for the Charlotte Lady Eagles in the W-League. She was named captain after her first year and remained in the role until she retired seven years later. A two-time All-W-League and three-time all-conference selection, Murphy is the all-time leading goal-scorer and all-time points leader for the Eagles under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach lee Horton.
Murphy also played professional for three years with Santos Futebol Clube (Brazil 1
st Division), Bristol Football Club (England 1
st Division) for two years and she spent a year with Ferroviária Futebol Clube (Brazil 1
st Division).
She holds a United States Soccer Federation ‘C’ License, United States Soccer Federation ‘D’ License, United Soccer Coaches Level 1 Goalkeeper Diploma, United Soccer Coaches Level 2 Goalkeeper Diploma and United States Soccer Federation ‘E’ License.
1st Win At USC Aiken:
9/14/21 vs. Belmont Abbey 2-1 Win
| Year |
Overall Record |
Overall Pct. |
PBC |
PBC Pct. |
| 2021 |
3-11-1 |
.233 |
2-6-1 |
.278 |
| 2022 |
7-4-4 |
.600 |
4-3-3 |
.550 |
| Totals |
10-15-5 |
.416 |
6-9-4 |
.421 |
