BUFFALO, N.Y. – D'Youville University and the Executive Director of Athletics, Ona Halladay, has announced that Interim Head Women's Soccer Coach Angela Nicholas-Tolsma has been named the team's new head coach moving forward.
 
"We are thrilled to have Angela continue to lead our women's soccer program moving forward," Halladay said. "After having conversations at the conclusion of the 2023 season, and what her vision was for the program, we knew it was the right fit. She proved it this past season in leading the team to the postseason."
 
"I'm honored and excited to continue leading the women's soccer program here at D'Youville," said Nicholas-Tolsma. "I'd like to thank Ona Halladay and Rebecca Capinera for entrusting me with the program and the opportunity to build on the progress we made this past season. The vision they have for the department and their commitment to creating a winning culture makes D'Youville a truly special place."
 
Nicholas-Tolsma had a strong 2023 season leading the Saints in an interim capacity, leading the team to their first ever appearance in the East Coast Conference Tournament as the sixth seed. The Saints increased their winning percentage both overall and within the conference.
 
Under Nicholas-Tolsma's guidance, DYU had one East Coast Conference All-Conference Team member in Jeslyn-Brooke Vallesteros (Aiea, Hawaii) earning third team honors along with Cierra Barber (Hector, N.Y.) receiving the ECC Elite 20 Award. The team also racked up multiple ECC weekly honors with Ella Hurrle (Jordan Station, Ontario) earning ECC Rookie of the Week honors twice, Hannah Woodhouse (Queensbury, N.Y.) earning ECC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, while Izzy Deachman (Nobleton, Ontario) and Kailie Regan (Holley, N.Y.) earning weekly ECC Honor Roll.
 
The team saw improvements on the offensive end from last season to this season, doubling their goal total (22) and had more opportunities with shots on goal.
 
"We have a very talented and hungry group of players that are ready to raise the expectations of our program," Nicholas-Tolsma added. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work in our pursuit of an ECC championship!"