BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo and women's soccer coach Shawn Burke have agreed to a multi-year contract through the 2026 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt announced today.

"Our women's soccer program under the leadership of Shawn Burke has consistently achieved at a high level both on and off the field," Alnutt said. "Not only does our program win at a high level on the field, they have a significant track record of achievement in the classroom and being very engaged in giving back to the Buffalo community. The stability of leadership makes the future for women's soccer bright as we look forward to more success in the future. I'm very excited to continue to work with Shawn Burke as our head coach for many years to come." 

Burke led Buffalo to a historic season in 2022 as the Bulls claimed the Mid-American Conference regular season title and MAC Tournament Championship for the second time in program history and qualified for the NCAA Tournament, also for the second time. The Bulls set a new program record with a 17-game unbeaten streak and recorded 14 shutouts on the season, tied for the most in program history.

For his efforts, Burke was awarded MAC Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career after leading his team to a 15-2-4 overall record to go along with a 7-0-4 MAC record. UB finished the historic season with an 11-0-1 home record, tying the 2014 squad for the program record for home wins. He helped the Bulls earn two other specialty awards as freshman Ellie Simmons was named Defensive Player of the Year and fifth year Emily Kelly earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

"Taylor and I are excited to be committed to UB, the community and this amazing program for the long term," said Burke. "We want to personally thank President Tripathi, Mark Alnutt and D'Ann Keller for helping make this happen and the belief that they have in UB Women's Soccer, our staff, and our student-athletes. We are committed to our players, to developing champions, and to making UB and the Buffalo community proud!"

In his nine seasons at the helm in Buffalo, the Bulls have produced an overall record of 95-50-25, including a 54-25-18 mark in league play. Burke, who ranks second in program history in wins, has turned UB into a dominant home team as the Bulls own a 60-11-11 record at UB stadium under his guidance.

Individually, UB has produced 44 All-MAC selections and has placed 20 student-athletes on All-Region squads. Burke has also produced the first four Division 1 All-Americans in program history, in second team selections Marcy Barberic and Emily Kelly and third team honorees Jackie Hall and Hannah Callaghan. UB has also seen seven players awarded MAC Player of the Year during his tenor.

Off the pitch, the Bulls have excelled in the classroom, earning 78 All-MAC Academic selections, 11 MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes, nine COSIDA/CSC Academic All-District selections, five Scholar All-Region selections and four Academic All-Americans (Jackie Hall, Gurjeena Jandu, Emily Kelly, Leah Wengender).

"I couldn't be happier with the job Shawn has done with our women's soccer program," said Senior Associate AD for Sports Administration/SWA D'Ann Keller. "He has established a championship culture on the field and in the classroom and we look forward to that continuing for many years to come."