Instrumental in the success the New York University men’s soccer program has enjoyed the past two seasons and has been the work of assistant coach Nick Penze, who is entering his seventh season.
Penze’s work with the Violets’ goalkeepers has enabled the team to go 28-9-5 over the past two seasons while making consecutive NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship appearances for the first time in program history. This includes a 13-5-1 mark in 2007 as NYU climbed as high as #4 in the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America)/adidas Division III Poll before bowing to Hamilton College in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Along the way, NYU posted the second longest shutout streak in school history, keeping opponents scoreless for 524:06.
In 2006 the team advanced to the Final Four in their first return to the NCAA Tournament since becoming a Division III program in 1982. In addition, NYU earned its highest national ranking, finishing #4 in the final NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America)/adidas Division III Poll, and set team records for wins, longest winning streak (10), and longest unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2). Led by d3kicks.com First Team All-Metropolitan Region selection Chris Wright, the Violets’ netminders recroded 11 clean sheets and a 0.62 goals against average.
Penze was also part of a coaching staff that experienced unparalleled success in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets ended up in a tie for second place, their highest finish ever, while setting new marks for most wins (4-2-1) and points (13).
Overall, the Violets have produced five postseason appearances in Penze’s six seasons, including three ECAC Division III Metro Tournament appearances (2002, 2003, 2005), while posting a 66-38-14 (.619) record.
A former goalkeeper at Western Illinois University, Penze majored in biology at Western Illinois and played for the Leathernecks’ soccer team from 1989-93. A former All-Conference, All-Area and team MVP at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL, Penze also played for the Chicago Kickers and Chicago Sockers Football Clubs.
In addition to his duties at NYU, Penze also owns and operates a manufacturers representative agency.
A native of Brunswick, GA, Penze resides in Manhattan with his wife Paige, son Dylan and daughter Lauren.
