Caitlin Pickul Named Head Soccer Coach at Wellesley College

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Bethany Ellis, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics at Wellesley College has announced the hiring of Caitlin Pickul as Head Soccer Coach and Assistant Professor of the Practice. 

"I would like to welcome Caitlin back to Wellesley and our Blue Nation family," said Ellis. "Her desire to compete in the NEWMAC and support our student-athletes in everything they do at Wellesley is clear and I look forward to seeing how she will shape the program over the next several years."

A former assistant for the Blue, Pickul returns to Wellesley following a two-year stint as Head Coach at Division III Nichols College. Pickul's first season at the helm of the Nichols program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bison returned to the field in 2021, posting a record of 4-12-1 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). While at Nichols, Pickul was also the supervisor of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Prior to her time at Nichols, Pickul spent four seasons at the College of Holy Cross, from 2016-2020. Pickul joined the Division I program as an Assistant Coach before taking over the responsibilities of Associate Head Coach. Prior to her departure to Nichols, Pickul was the Interim Head Coach of the Crusaders. In 2019, the Holy Cross coaching staff was named the Patriot League Coaching Staff of the Year after the Crusaders posted a program-best record of 5-4-8 overall while finishing second in the conference with a 3-1-5 mark.

"I am so excited to be returning to Wellesley to lead the Wellesley Soccer program," said Pickul. "I look forward to working with the student-athletes on the field and supporting them off the field in all they do. The potential this team has combined with the ability to compete at the highest level in the NEWMAC are things that drew me to this role and I look forward to that opportunity."

Pickul was an assistant for the Blue under Head Coach Tony Mohammed from 2011-2016, while also working as the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning. After posting a combined record of 11-22-6 during her first two seasons with the team, the Blue posted a 25-21-12 record over her final three seasons. In addition to her responsibilities with the soccer program, Pickul taught Couch to 5k in the Physical Education curriculum and was a game manager for events.

"I'd like to thank Bethany Ellis, [Senior Associate AD] Katie Galiardi, and the rest of the search committee for entrusting the soccer program to me. I also am incredibly grateful for my time at Nichols College and the support from the soccer team and the department there, especially Director of Athletic, Eric Gobiel and Associate Director of Athletics Kristan Mallet, as I venture into this role," said Pickul.

Prior to Wellesley, Pickul started her coaching career as a goalkeeper coach at North Andover High School in 2007 and SF Vikings Club Program in 2008 and before serving as an assistant coach and goalie coach at Salem State University in 2010. She is currently Club Director for Best FC Soccer Club, where she has also been a Head Coach and Director of High School Goalkeeping since 2016. She is also an Assistant Goalkeeper Coach with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.

A 2006 graduate of Providence College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, Pickul was a four-time Big East All-Academic honoree as a member of the Friar women's soccer team as a goalkeeper. She is a United States Soccer Federation Licensed Coach and an NSCAA Level 1 Goalkeeper Coach as well as an NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and an NSPA Certified Sports Nutrition Coach. She received her Master of Business Administration degree in Sports Management at Loyola University Chicago in 2010.

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.