GORHAM, Maine  –  University of Southern Maine women's soccer coach Seth Benjamin '00 has announced his departure  from his role with the Huskies to take the head coaching role at fellow Division III institution Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  Twice named the Little East Conference Coach/Coaching Staff of the Year, Benjamin led Southern Maine for six years (five seasons) and is the program's all-time leader in wins with a record of 67-25-9 (2018-19, 2021-2023).  The process for a national search for the two-time defending LEC Champions Huskies next head coach will begin immediately.
 
"On behalf of the University and the Department of Athletics, I would like to thank Seth for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the women's soccer program at Southern Maine," said Director of Athletics Al Bean. "During his time in Gorham, Seth led the program to unprecedented success, including the Huskies first and second Little East Conference regular season and tournament championships, and the program's first ever NCAA tournament win. He and his student-athletes have brought tremendous pride and success to Southern Maine, and we wish him well in his future endeavors."
 
Under Benjamin's leadership, University of Southern Maine women's soccer student-athletes earned All-Little East Conference honors 24 times, including 2022 Offensive Player of the Year Catriona Gould, 2022 Rookie of the Year Julia McKenna, 2022 and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Mia Sargent, 2022 and 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year Bre Atwood.  Atwood became the program's first ever All-American this fall.
 
During the 2022 season, Southern Maine claimed its first Little East Conference regular season and tournament championship, and earned its first berth into the NCAA Division III tournament, finishing the season with a program record 17 wins, and goals in a season (65).  During the 2023 season, the Huskies repeated their championship run in the LEC and set a program record for shutouts in a season (14). In their second NCAA tournament appearance in program history, the Huskies earned the program's first tournament win defeating No. 10 Rowan University 2-0.
 
"Coaching at my alma mater has been a great honor," noted Benjamin. "While I am excited for a new challenge, my time coaching women's soccer at the University of Southern Maine has been fulfilling and full of achievement. Athletics administration, support staff and the community have been tremendously supportive of  the team and my staff over my six years at USM, and the student-athletes that I have had the privilege to coach are some of the best in Division III."
 
 
-cac-