Siena Heights women's soccer head coach Scott Oliver earned his 200th career win in the 2-1 victory over Aquinas, on Wednesday.
The women's soccer program has been under the care of Oliver since he took over the program in 2001, his first year as a collegiate head coach. Now in his 16th season, he has earned a 200-87-32 overall record and 95-32-18 record in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. He is now tied for 12th overall in wins among all NAIA women's soccer coaches.
"I'd like to thank all the assistant coaches I've had over the years," says Oliver. "I'd especially like to thank all the players that have put in all the heart, blood, sweat and tears into the success of this program."
In 15 seasons, Oliver has led the Saints to the NAIA Tournament on five occasions (2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011). The success of his teams has garnered Oliver accolades of his own. He is a two-time WHAC Coach of the Year (2002, 2009). In 2006, he was the NAIA Region VIII Coach of the Year.
Coming into the 2016 season, Oliver had compiled an overall record of 193-84-30 and 92-31-18 in the WHAC. In 2007, he became the winningest women's soccer coach in SHU history. At the time, he surpassed the previous mark of 87, held by Aldo Zid, whom Oliver played for during his student years at Siena Heights. Oliver currently ranks 13th in wins among all active NAIA coaches.
Oliver has coached seven nationally ranked squads, including the 2002 team that finished their season ranked 11th in the NAIA. Most recently, Oliver coached the 2015 team to a No. 16 post-season ranking.
Last season, the women's soccer program earned its 400th victory in the WHAC tournament semi-final. Oliver has seen the Saints through 200 of their 407 wins since the program's inception in 1986.
"I've been blessed to be around and learn from great coaches," reflects Oliver on his career. "Obviously Coach Aldo Zid taught me everything I wanted to know about soccer and started me in the right direction. I was able to learn from Fred Smith, Tim Bauer and Al Sandifer in my early years. Those lessons have been the key factors in my length and success of my career."
"It's a great honor, but I'm more concerned about developing people than winning games. I don't think my focus has ever gone away from trying to be better tomorrow," says Oliver as he prepares for the team's next match at Lourdes, on Wednesday.
