Walsh Named Head Women’s Soccer Coach
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Fiona Walsh has been named the next head coach of the Mitchell College women's soccer program, as announced Wednesday by Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson.
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.
"We are thrilled to announce and welcome Fiona Walsh as our next head women's soccer coach," said Finlayson. "Her strategic plan for the program and commitment to providing a first-class student-athlete experience will be a tremendous asset to the College. Ashley Kishorn did a wonderful job executing the search from start to finish, and we look forward to working alongside Fiona as we grow the women's soccer program toward a successful future."
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.
"I am incredibly excited and grateful to be named the next Mitchell Women's Soccer Head Coach," said Walsh. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson, Associate Athletics Director Ashley Kishorn, and the search committee for believing in me and in my vision for the program. Mitchell is a truly unique place with so much to offer prospective recruits, and this program has a high ceiling. I'm eager to get started and begin building something special with this team."
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.
