May 23, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne women's soccer coach Tim Zundel has named Natalie Cocchi assistant coach.

Cocchi, who graduated from West Virginia this spring, comes to the Bluff after a stellar playing career from 2004-07 where she scored 15 goals, 5 assists and 35 points. She was captain of the 2007 Mountaineer team that was Big East Champions, made it to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament and finished ranked #1 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.

One of the most decorated players in the program's history, Cocchi was named Big East Player of the Week a total of six times as well as voted Most Valuable Defensive player by teammates and coaches her senior season. She was also voted hardest working player during 2007 season three times.

Over her four seasons as a player, WVU was named Soccer Buzz Elite team of the week five times and Soccer America team of the week five times while sporting impressive 59-21-8 record. The Mountaineers qualified for the NCAA Tournament each of her four years as a player.

Cocchi was also invited to the United States Under-20 Women's National Team Camp.

She has coached at several levels over the past nine years, including head coaching stints with USP Soccer Academy U12 girls Select Team and WVUSC U11 Girls Jaguars soccer team.

"We are very pleased to add Natalie to the staff," said Zundel. "She is enthusiastic and has a great deal of experience. We are excited to have her added to the staff."