DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College Director of Athletics Eric Gobiel has announced the hiring of Caitlin Pickul as the 14th women's soccer coach in program history.

Pickul comes to Dudley after spending the previous four seasons at The College of Holy Cross in nearby Worcester, first as an Assistant Coach before rising to Associate Head Coach and, since March, Interim Head Coach. This past season, the Crusaders posted the best record in program history (5-4-8) and finished second in the Patriot League with a 3-1-5 mark. For their efforts, the Crusaders coaching staff was named Patriot League Staff of the Year.

During her time in Worcester, Pickul worked with three goalkeepers who finished amongst the career leaders in single-season goals against average (GAA), two who placed in the top 10 in single-season shutouts, and two who graduated in the top five in career GAA. Off the field, Pickul assisted with all team training programming, scouted the opponents offensive set pieces and generated defensive set pieces and systems, and designed and conducted team warmup – including prehab and preventative exercises.

"I am so excited to join the Nichols Athletic Department!" said Pickul. "I want to sincerely thank Eric Gobiel and the entire search committee for giving me this opportunity. Throughout my entire interview process, it was clear that Nichols truly is a community where relationships and teamwork is valued. I look forward to being part of such a welcoming environment centered on student growth and success." 

Pickul was also instrumental in recruiting student-athletes at Holy Cross, managing the program's JumpForward database, scheduling official and unofficial visits, and attending recruiting tournaments. She arranged all team travel (ground and air transportation, hotels, food), handled the equipment ordering and inventory for the program, monitored the academic progress of the student-athletes, and assisted with all aspects of camps and clinics. This past spring, the Holy Cross women's soccer program posted the highest cumulative GPA in the athletic department.

"I want to thank Holy Cross and, specifically, Casey Brown for the last four years," added Pickul. "Being able to grow as a coach while also watching the program reach new heights was a privilege. I will miss my student-athletes, but I am very glad I was a part of their experience. I look forward to creating those same relationships at Nichols!" 

Prior to her arrival at Holy Cross, Pickup spent five seasons as an assistant women's soccer coach at Division III Wellesley College, an all-female institution in Wellesley, Mass. After posting a combined record of 11-22-6 during her first two seasons with the program, the Blue went 25-21-12 over the next three, finishing above the .500 mark in each campaign. Pickul planned and implemented all technical and tactical goalie sessions at Wellesley, created scouting reports, and attended showcases and organized campus visits.

Pickul was also the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning at Wellesley, creating and implementing programs for soccer, squash, fencing, and golf with a secondary focus on lacrosse, volleyball, tennis, and novice crew. She also produced, managed, and updated the S&C website, prepared and implemented an ACL Injury Prevention program for all teams, and conducted all functional movement screening and testing. Pickul chipped in as a game manager for basketball, lacrosse, and softball.

"I am pleased and excited to welcome Caitlin to Nichols College," said Gobiel. "Coach Pickul was selected from an extremely deep and talented pool of candidates and we are thrilled for her to begin her tenure at the head coach of our women's soccer program. I am confident she will utilize her past experiences and student-athlete centered approach to help build upon last season's success and elevate our program to new heights in the years to come."

A 2006 graduate of Providence College, Pickul – who cut her teeth in the collegiate coaching ranks at Salem State University in 2010 – was a four-year member of the Friars women's soccer program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and was a four-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team pick. Pickul went on to earn her Master's in Business Administration: Sports Management from Loyola University Chicago in 2010.

Pickul is a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, holds an F License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and is Goalkeeper Level 1 certified from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). While at Nichols, she will continue to work as Assistant Director & Head Coach at Slocum Soccer School – High School Prep, Assistant Goalkeeper Coach at Massachusetts Youth ODP, and the Director of High School Goalkeeping at Best FC Soccer Club.

The Bison posted a 10-9-0 mark this past fall – their best season in nearly a decade (12-6-1 in 2010). Added Pickul, "I can't wait to get to know the young women that comprise the women's soccer program at Nichols. I look forward to leading them both on and off the field through their development as students, soccer players, role models, and leaders. The lessons they will learn as part of the team will complement all they do in the classroom and community."