CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (July 15, 2024) – Director of Athletics Scott Koval has announced that Melina Kuzis has been named the eighth head coach of the DeSales University women's soccer program, beginning her tenure as a Bulldog immediately.
Kouzis joins DeSales after serving as interim head coach at Long Island University for the past year. He also serves as head coach and women's elite technical director for Massapequa Soccer Club starting in March 2023 and head coach for the Eastern NY Soccer Association Olympic Development Program starting in November 2023.
“I am honored and humbled to be named the head women's soccer coach at DeSales University. I would like to thank Athletic Director Scott Koval, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator Gracia Perilli and the search committee for the opportunity to lead our student-athletes to success. I am committed to fostering a competitive, collaborative and growth-oriented environment where student-athletes can thrive on and off the field. I look forward to building on the strong foundation of this program and leading the team to new heights.”
Kouzis played four years at UCONN from 2017-2021 and was a highly successful Division I soccer player, earning a United Soccer Coaches East Region Second Team selection and Big East First Team as a senior. He then played one more season as a graduate student at St. John's University, where he was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team and finished the season with one goal and five assists.
Mr. Kouzis will earn his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Connecticut in 2021, his Master of Science in Translational Medicine from the City University of New York in 2022 and his MBA from St. John's University in 2023.
“We are excited and pleased to name Melina Kuzis as head women's soccer coach,” said athletic director Scott Koval. “We had an outstanding pool of candidates, and during the interview process, it became clear that Melina's soccer knowledge, passion, leadership abilities and experience as a high-level athlete and coach set her apart and make her the perfect fit for our women's soccer program. We are excited for the future of DeSales women's soccer.”
Cousis will take over a women's soccer program that has qualified for the MAC Freedom Postseason Tournament each of the past three years, advanced to the MAC Freedom Championship Game in 2022 and lost in double overtime to Misericordia University in the 2023 MAC Freedom Semifinals.
She is a native of Baldwin Place, N.Y., and graduated from Somers High School in Conn. She recorded 60 goals and 63 assists during her high school career, helping Somers win the New York State Class A Championship in 2014, and earned numerous conference, regional and national honors during her high school career.
