Damian Houlden
Damian Houlden

Bio


Damian Houlden is the Director of Soccer at Mitchell College, heading up the efforts of both the men's and women's soccer programs. He took over the men's program following the 2014 season and has led the women's program for the past nine seasons. 

Houlden has built one of the top women's programs in the New England Collegiate Conference. In seven seasons his teams have amassed a conference record of 30-24-6 and produced a total of 20 all-conference selections, including a NECC Player, Rookie and Goalkeeper of the Year. During that span the Mariners have qualified for the NECC Championship five times and made one NCAA appearance.

The 2010 season was a breakthrough one for Houlden and the Mariners. Mitchell finished with a winning overall record (10-8-1) and captured the NECC Championship by a 2-1 final against top-seeded Lesley in the title game. The win earned the Mariners an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history. Five of Houlden's players earned all-conference honors, including NECC Player of the Year Nikki Hoxie.

In 2009 the Mariners made a trip to the NECC Championship title game. Houlden also saw four of his players earn all-conference honors, and the team finished with a 6-2 record in league play. In 2008, the Mariners qualified for the NECC Championship in the conference's innaugural season. In both the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Houlden led the team as they qualified for the Independent Regional Conference finals. For his efforts during the 2007 season, he was named Coach of the Year.  

Houlden hails from Louth, England and has a wealth of experience coaching at the club level and developing soccer players. He currently coaches the Southeast Connecticut Premier soccer team and was an ODP staff coach from 2004-06. Houlden also gained valuable coaching experience while on the staff for the New England Revolution Academy from 2005-06.

Houlden has completed the English certification UEFA B License, FA Coaching License, and he has also earned a Regional Goalkeeper Diploma. He most recently completed the training program from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and received the Primier National Diploma with distinction.

Houlden played for Mitchell College and was a letterwinner on the men's soccer team. He was honored as a New England All-Conference First Team selection for his efforts from his central defense position.

Houlden received his degree in sport management from Mitchell College and earned a Master's in exercise science and sports psychology from the California University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his responsibilities as head coach, Houlden serves as manger of student athletic services for the department of athletics.

Meet The Coach
Fiona Walsh

Fiona Walsh was named the next head coach of the Mitchell College women’s soccer program in December of 2025.

Walsh will make her collegiate head coaching debut with the Mariners in the fall of 2026 and brings a strong combination of collegiate coaching experience and elite playing credentials.

Walsh joins the Mariners after serving as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Trinity College, where she was appointed Acting Interim Head Coach during the spring of 2024. In that role, she led all team operations, including recruiting and player development. Her responsibilities included identifying and recruiting high-achieving student-athletes nationwide, organizing campus visits, preparing scouting reports, assisting with game-day strategy, and overseeing set pieces, strength and conditioning, and supplemental training sessions.

Prior to Trinity, Walsh served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Clark University, where she helped guide the program to its first NEWMAC Championship appearance. She also brings extensive club and semi-professional coaching experience within ECNL, ECNL Regional League, EDP, and UWS environments, along with specialized goalkeeper training experience.

A former standout goalkeeper at Vassar College, Walsh was a two-year team captain and program record-holder who helped lead the Brewers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. She earned multiple conference and national honors, including NCAA Division III Player of Distinction recognition.

Walsh holds a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a master’s degree in teaching from Clark University. She is USSF “C” licensed and holds multiple United Soccer Coaches certifications.

...