McNeill Joins BC as Coach

Former Eagles' Defender Returns to Heights

July 1, 2009

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Kia McNeill is coming back to her alma mater.

The former Boston College defender and Connecticut native will join the Eagles’ women’s soccer program as an assistant this fall.

“I am really excited that I was presented with the opportunity to return to BC. I have a lot of respect for the University and particularly the women's soccer program,’’ said McNeill. “I loved playing at BC and look forward to coming back to work with the student-athletes and coaches. I look forward to learning from the staff and the athletes as well as implementing my own insight.’’

McNeill has been busy in the past year. After graduating from the Heights in May 2008, McNeill went to Sweden to play for Kristianstads.

On January 16, 2009, McNeill was drafted ninth overall by the Saint Louis Athletica of the Women’s Professional Soccer League. McNeill is the starting central defender and has started eight of nine games.

A native of Avon, Conn., McNeill was a four-year starter and played in 86 consecutive games for BC. McNeill played up front for the first three seasons and pulled the switch her senior season to be a defender. The move proved to be the key as McNeill was crucial to the Eagles defense as it was ranked sixth in the country in goals-against-average (0.475). McNeill finished her career 61 career points, good enough for eighth on the all-time scoring list at BC.

McNeill will join new assistant coach Neel Bhattacharjee and Director of Women’s Soccer Operations Mike LaVigne under head coach Alison Kulik.

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