PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Head women's soccer coach Ryan Joy will step down at the end of the academic year, Plymouth State University Director of Athletics Kim Bownes announced on Tuesday.
 
Joy, the longest tenured coach in program history, will remain at Plymouth State to pursue new opportunities within the athletics department.
 
"My time with the women's soccer program has been a great chapter in my life," said Joy. "The feeling is bittersweet. While I am sad I will be moving on from working with the players directly on a day-to-day basis, I am equally as excited about the next season in my life and the opportunities to expand my role in the athletic department."
 
"We've been incredibly fortunate to have Ryan as the head women's soccer coach," said Bownes. "He leaves the program in great shape for the future, and I am very excited he will spend more time helping within the department. His skill set is so valuable to all of us, and, most importantly, the student-athletes."
 
Joy was named the program's 12th head coach in March of 2014. He ends his stint with the third-most wins in program history, going 55-71-11 over his nine seasons. Joy guided the Panthers to the postseason four times, including a run to the Little East Conference (LEC) semifinals in 2016 to earn LEC Coach of the Year honors.
 
His 2019 squad posted a 4-4-0 LEC record, with the four conference wins marking the most since the 2003 season. The Panthers narrowly missed out on a home playoff game after falling, 2-1, in the regular season finale.
 
In his time atop the program, Plymouth State had 22 student-athletes earn All-LEC honors, including five this fall – the most since the 1995 season and second only to LEC regular season and tournament champion Southern Maine. Additionally, 87 student-athletes earned LEC All-Academic Team recognition for their success in the classroom under his watch.
 
"You always want to leave something in a better place than you found it and I believe we were able to accomplish that," added Joy. "I am excited to see the next chapter in the women's soccer program because the players are incredible, and I cannot thank them enough for all the memories we shared together."
 
Joy will stay on to run team training during the non-traditional season before relinquishing his duties in May. A search for his replacement will begin after the new year.