Nichols College Athletics

Chris Traina took over the coaching reins of the Nichols College men’s soccer program in 2005 and currently stands as the winningest coach in program history with 170 career victories. He also serves as an Assistant Athletic Director, primarily overseeing the athletic fitness center.

Since the 2008 season, the Bison have qualified for the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) 14 times, along with two NCAA Tournament appearances, and are the winners of both the 2010 and 2014 tournament championships. 

In 2019, the Bison posted 12 wins on the season and advanced to the CCC Semifinals for the sixth time since 2010, and first since 2015. As the fifth-seeded team, Nichols went on the road to defeat in-state rival Western New England University, 3-2, before bowing out to eventual conference champion Salve Regina University.

The Bison tied a program-record 15 wins in 2014, and won their second CCC Championship in five years. They went on to win their first-ever NCAA Tournament match with a 1-0 shutout UMass Boston. Eight of Traina’s student-athletes received all-conference honors. Nichols established program records for winning pct. (.773) and goals against average (0.65) in a 2014 season which saw Traina earn CCC Coach of the Year accolades. Traina secured his 100th career win as head coach of the men's program with a 1-0 shutout of Wentworth on October 28.

In 2013, Traina guided the Bison to a 12-2-5 record and a berth in the CCC Semifinals. Six of Traina’s student-athletes earned all-conference honors, including First Team selection Pat Gaumond.

The first win of the 2012 season for the Bison – a 3-0 shutout of local rival Clark (MA) – marked the 100th collegiate victory for Traina (combined men’s and women’s). The Bison earned the No. 4 seed in the CCC tournament reached the CCC Championship. Four of Traina’s student-athletes earned CCC postseason honors with one earning NSCAA Division III All-New England honors.

Nichols appeared in its third CCC Championship match in four years in 2011. The Bison took home CCC co-Defensive Player of the Year honors and six student-athletes were named All-CCC – three of which went on to earn a spot on the NSCAA NCAA D-III All-New England squad.

In 2010, Traina was tabbed CCC Coach of the Year for leading the Bison to the conference championship while coaching the CCC Rookie of the Year and seven All-CCC team members – one of which earned a spot on both the All New England Regional West First Team and NSCAA NCAA D-III All-American First Team. Nichols was also selected to host the NCAA Tournament first round matchup for the first time in program history.

Overall, Traina’s clubs have set or reset a myriad of records during his tenure as head coach, including wins (15), shutouts (13), consecutive shutouts (five), goals allowed (11) and goals against average (0.65). In 2008, Nichols advanced to the CCC Championship game for the first time in 20 years and was selected to participate in the ECAC Tournament.

Traina previously coached the women’s soccer team at Nichols for four seasons, guiding them to the CCC Championship title while becoming the first program at Nichols to appear in the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to coming to Nichols, Traina spent four years as the varsity soccer coach at Shrewsbury High School, winning two league titles and a district tournament championship. He has over 14 years of high school and college coaching experience, and was also the coach of Juventus U-14 in the Massachusetts Premier League, where his team won seven tournament championships.

Traina attended Keene State College and his playing experience spans from Auburn High School to Keene State and Worcester State Colleges, finally to the South Florida Semi-Pro League. In addition to his coaching duties, he also serves as the Nichols Recreation and Athletic Center Manager. He currently holds an NSCAA Advanced National Coaching License.

Career Record at Nichols - Men

Career Record at Nichols - Women