RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Felician University has dropped the interim tag from the title of women’s soccer coach Aris Alpian and named him the permanent head coach of that program, Felician director of athletics Ben “JR” DiNallo announced Tuesday.
The Nutley, N.J. resident spent the last five years as an assistant coach with the Felician men’s soccer team, specializing in goalkeeper development and junior-college recruitment. In the summer of 2019, he also joined the women’s staff, and took over as the head women’s coach for the season’s final five games. He earned his first NCAA Division I victory vs. Nyack College Oct. 23.
“I am extremely honored to be named the head coach of the Felician University women’s soccer program,” Alpian said in a statement. “I would like to thank vice president Francine Andrea, director of athletics Ben DiNallo and Associate Director of Athletics Andrew Toriello for the trust they have shown in me. I am committed to the advancement of our student-athletes both on and off the field; preparing them for a fruitful life after graduation is my highest priority.”
Alpian is the director of coaching for Happy Feet of New Jersey, a youth soccer development program. He was formerly the director of National Premier Soccer League operations and the director of youth goalkeeping for the Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club. While serving as Felician’s interim women’s coach, he recruited a class of eight freshmen and one transfer for next year’s Golden Falcons.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Alpian was a four-year member of the men’s soccer team at Division I Hofstra University, from which he received a BBA in marketing in 1999. He possesses an Advanced National Diploma and Level II Goalkeeping Certificate from United Soccer Coaches and a U.S. Soccer ‘C’ License.
Felician played its inaugural women’s soccer season in 1998. Alpian is its fourth head coach. He replaced Thomas Notte, who resigned during his 12th season. Notte won a school-record 82 games with the Golden Falcons. He led Felician to nine Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoff appearances, including two trips to the semifinals.
