VCU men’s soccer adds Lucas Paulini to coaching staff

RICHMOND, Va. – A familiar face will rejoin the VCU men’s soccer sidelines this fall, as head coach Dave Giffard announced Lucas Paulini returns to the program as an assistant coach.

“Lucas played for us in my first year here in 2010, went on to play professionally in both Atlanta and Richmond before spending the last several years as an assistant at Houston Baptist with coach Ryan Pratt,” said Giffard. “He brings an experience of what it was like to be a player here and then move onto the professional game and will be able to relate with many of our players who have the same goals and aspirations. Lucas will be a great addition to our staff and we’re ecstatic to bring him home.”

Paulini spent the last three seasons as assistant coach at Houston Baptist University. While with the Huskies, Paulini helped guide the program to 17 wins.

Prior to joining HBU, Paulini spent two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Director of Operations where he assisted in planning and conducting daily training sessions, film breakdown and scouting report development.

Paulini also played for the Rams, where he was a standout in 2010. In just one season with VCU, Paulini picked up CAA All-First Team honors while also earning All-Region honors in each of his four collegiate seasons. He was a three-time honoree at Tusculum College.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina native was the first Ram to sign a professional contract under head coach Dave Giffard when he signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2011. He spent four seasons with the Silverbacks and even reached the NASL finals in 2013. In 2016, Paulini returned to Richmond to play for the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League.

Paulini is a ’16 graduate of VCU with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.