Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 864-503-5143
Abby Minihan is in her fourth season as head coach of the women’s soccer program at USC Upstate. She became the third coach in program history on April 23, 2012.
Minihan’s appointment as head coach of the Spartans provided immediate dividends, as she helped Upstate increase its win total from the previous season. In addition, Minihan assisted in an Upstate defense that allowed nine fewer goals than it had the season before her arrival. Under the direction of Minihan, Upstate keeper Sarah Plantz turned in one of the best seasons in school history on her way to being named the 2012 Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year. Plantz finished the year with two shutouts and ranked ninth in the nation with 122 saves.
The success continued for Minihan and USC Upstate in 2013, as the Spartans set a school record for the most victories in a season during the Division I era, which included a 1-0 victory over A-Sun champion and NCAA Women’s College Cup participant Jacksonville. In addition, Upstate also turned in the most road victories in a season since 2004.
Individually, Plantz continued to thrive under the tutelage of Minihan and finished the season first in the Atlantic Sun with 110 saves and stood fourth with five shutouts. Plantz ended her career at Upstate with 330 saves and ranks 10th all-time in A-Sun history.
Minihan and the Spartans continued trending upward in 2014 with a defense that allowed 14 fewer goals and 108 fewer shots than in 2013. Additionally, the Spartans finished the season with the best goals against average in school history during the Division I era.
Offensively, Minihan played an instrumental role in the breakout season of forward Kenzie Major, who ended her junior season fourth in the A-Sun with seven goals and fifth with 15 points. Major became the first Spartan in the Division I era with four goals and eight points in a single game when she accomplished the feat at South Carolina State. Newcomer Nicki Krejci became the school record holder for the most assists in a season in the D1 era with four, and midfielder Haley Gethin was selected to the All-Atlantic Sun second team under Minihan’s direction.
Prior to arriving in Spartanburg, Minihan was an assistant coach for two years at Syracuse (2010 & 2011). In her second season with the Orange, she helped guide the club to a 6-5 record in Big East Conference play and the team earned a berth in the Big East Tournament.
Before her assistant coaching stint at Syracuse, Minihan was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Michigan, (2007 season) as well as Liberty (2008 season) and Western Michigan (2009 season).
At each of the three stops, she aided in team development as well as organizing and executing practice sessions. She was responsible for editing and preparing video for education sessions as well as creating scouting reports on upcoming opponents.
Prior to returning to her roots in Michigan, Minihan spent two years in the Palmetto State. During the 2005 season, she served as a volunteer assistant coach at Clemson before accepting the head coaching position at Anderson. She was responsible for all facets of the women's soccer program at Anderson.
Minihan started her collegiate coaching career in 2004 as the head coach at Division III Pittsburgh-Bradford. She was responsible for all facets of the program as well as assisting with fundraising efforts for the athletic department.
As a player, Minihan was a four-year starter at Michigan (1999-03) and remains at the top of the record books with 116 career points (43 goals, 30 assists). The 2002 Tri-Captain appeared in 83 matches during her four-year career and the team claimed the 1999 Big Ten Championship and reached the quarterfinal round in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management and communications and earned a pair of Athletic Academic Achievement Awards (1999, 2000). Minihan also was named to the kinesiology Dean's List in 2001 and 2002.
During her playing career, she was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection (1999, 2001, 2002), while picking up the Big Ten Conference's Women's Soccer Athlete of the Year award in 2002. She was a 2002 NSCAA All-American as a senior and was named a NSCAA/Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy Award Finalist during her final season of competition.
Minihan was a member of the U.S. National Team (U-21) in 2002 and has played professionally with the Atlanta Beat (2003, Women's United Soccer Association), Charlotte Eagles (2007-08, Women's Professional Soccer League) and the Boston Breakers (2009, Women's Professional Soccer).
She has also focused on instilling importance of commitment and dedication to achieve success by serving as a youth soccer coach and trainer since 2000. She also holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma (USSF B Equivalent).
Minihan's husband, David, is the Academy Director for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) located in Greenville, S.C.
