Citadel women’s soccer adds Ryan McLaughlin to staff

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Via Citadel) – Head Citadel women’s soccer coach Ciaran Traquair announced Tuesday that Ryan McLaughlin has been named the program’s full-time assistant coach.

McLaughlin, who was a part-time assistant coach for the 2018 season working with the goalkeepers, replaces Jack Marchant who left to become the assistant coach at Georgia State in February.

“Ryan has shown loyalty and commitment to the program for the past 12 months. He is a very talented young coach with a passion for the game,” Traquair said. “He has all the attributes to progress and succeed in the college game. He brings a positive mentality everyday, and the girls respect and respond to him. I am excited to see our program continue to progress with Ryan on staff.”

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to step into the assistant role at such a good time for this program,” McLaughlin said. “There is a good culture around the team with a great group of players. I look forward to the challenge of helping this program continue to move forward.”

Under McLaughlin’s tutelage in 2018, the Bulldogs’ four goalkeepers combined to post a 2.03 goals against average, the fifth-best average in program history, and an improvement over the 2017 season. The keepers combined for 91 saves and a save percentage of .700 to go along with two shutouts.

Graduate transfer net minder Kelly Brahmbhatt set the program record for wins in a season with eight as the Bulldogs improved their overall win total by four from the 2017 campaign. The Citadel also won multiple Southern Conference games for the first time since 2014 and won a game in the opening round of the Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship for the first time in four years.

Prior to joining the Bulldogs’ staff, McLaughlin was an assistant coach with the Academic Magnet High School’s girl’s soccer team, helping guide the team to two appearances in the state title game, including winning one championship.

Before Academic Magnet, he was the Director of Goalkeepers for Columbus United for one year.

McLaughlin played three seasons for the College of Charleston before his career was cut short by injury. McLaughlin made two starts in goal for the Cougars against ranked opponents Stanford and California, making five saves in each contest. Following his injury, he continued to work closely with the coaching staff and team as a student assistant, working with his fellow goalkeepers and learning the everyday workings of a successful college program.

A native of Westerville, Ohio, McLaughlin played club soccer for the U.S. Soccer and MLS U17/U18 program and Crew Soccer Academy. He was selected for market training by the U17 U.S. National Team in 2009.

He attended Westerville South High School where he was the captain for the boy’s soccer team for two seasons, earning two all-district honors as well as all-conference and all-state plaudits in 2011. He was also honored by ESPN Rise Magazine as an All-Ohio Starting XI member as a senior.

McLaughlin holds his D License through U.S. Soccer and is in the process of earning his Advanced National Goalkeeper’s license through the NSCAA.