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04/17/2013 Men's Soccer Welcomes Nine Student-Athletes for 2013-14 Academic Year02/07/2013 Men's Soccer Honored at Philadelphia Soccer Six BanquetFour Hawks Awarded for Individual Performances from 2012 Season 11/13/2012 Men's Soccer: Year in ReviewHawks Conclude 2012 Season with 5-11-2 Overall Record (1-6-2 Atlantic 10) 10/31/2012 D'Ottavi Earns Second Philadelphia Soccer Six Defender of the Week HonorsSenior Goalkeeper Selected for Award for Second Time This Season 10/26/2012 Solid Defensive Effort Hands Men's Soccer Double-Overtime Draw at La Salle, 1-1Critzos Scores Fifth Goal of Season; D'Ottavi Makes Season-High 12 Saves 10/23/2012 Hawk Hill Roundup: October 23, 2012This week on Hawk Hill Roundup, it's field hockey's Kate Mitchell, tennis coach Ian Crookenden, and men's soccer coach Don D'Ambra. 09/18/2012 Hawk Hill Roundup: September 18, 2012Men's soccer head coach Don D'Ambra, field hockey senior Jordan Cotter, and women's soccer junior Mo Hawkins are this week's guests on HHR 09/14/2012 Inside the Hawks: September 14, 2012Men's soccer head coach Don D'Ambra is this week's guest on Inside the Hawks 09/11/2012 Hawk Hill Roundup: September 11, 2012A weekly recap of the Hawk Hill sports scene 09/04/2012 Hawk Hill Roundup: September 4, 2012This week's update on the SJU soccer, cross country, and field hockey teams With the conclusion of the 2012 season, Don D'Ambra completes his third season as the head coach of the Saint Joseph's men's soccer program. One of the most decorated former SJU student-athletes to be named a head coach on Hawk Hill, D'Ambra was introduced as the fourth head coach in the program's history on April 15, 2010. The 2012 season marked tremendous growth of the SJU men's soccer program as the Hawks posted a 5-11-2 overall record while going 1-6-2 in Atlantic 10 action. SJU posted the same amount of wins as its previous three seasons combined en route to putting together a pair of ties late in the season to prevent losses against La Salle and Fordham for the first time since 2008 and 2006, respectively. In his first season at SJU, D'Ambra led the Hawks to an overall record of 2-15-0 and 1-8-0 in the A-10 as the squad snapped a 24-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over Iona and won its first conference match since 2008 in a 2-0 victory over Rhode Island. In 2011, D'Ambra compiled identical overall and conference records as his inaugural season, putting together a two-year record of 4-30-0 overall and 2-18-0 in conference play. D'Ambra returned to Saint Joseph's after a successful coaching and playing career with the Philadelphia KiXX of the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League). He played a total of 16 seasons in the MISL, the last 14 with the KiXX. In 2002, he assumed duties as the head coach of the KiXX and served as vice president of soccer operations/head coach since then while continuing his playing career. D'Ambra helped the KiXX to two MISL championships, as a player in 2002 and as the player/coach in 2007. He was a four-time All-Star and is the KiXX' all-time leading scorer, amassing 388 goals and 905 points. In eight seasons as head coach, he totaled 119 wins, which is the most in the team's history. While at Saint Joseph's from 1990-94, D'Ambra was a Regional All-America First Team selection and remains the only player in Hawk history to earn the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award, winning it in 1993. D'Ambra holds the SJU career records for goals (41) and points (102), as well as the marks for goals (15) and points (38) in a season (1993). He was inducted into SJU's Men's Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000. "We are pleased and honored to welcome back Don D'Ambra as our new head men's soccer coach. Don is committed to the SJU mission to enhance the overall student-athlete experience," said director of athletics Don DiJulia. "Don's passion and commitment to excel will encourage the success of our student-athletes and the soccer program from its solid foundation built by his predecessors - Tom Turner, Jack Ruggero and Jack Dunn. He brings energy and a vision for the future of the Hawk soccer program. Don made us proud during his playing days here and will make us even more proud during his tenure as our head coach." D'Ambra owns a USSF "A" coaching license and has been involved with coaching youth teams, conducting coaching clinics and organizing skills and development programs for over 14 years. He possesses international playing experience, having been a member of the United States National Futsal Team since 2002. With 15 international caps, D'Ambra has participated in the World Championships and the Pan American Games. D'Ambra replaced Tom Turner, who retired after 23 seasons as the Hawks' head coach and had been an assistant coach on Turner's staff at SJU from 1996-99. A native of Philadelphia, D'Ambra attended North Catholic High School and graduated from Saint Joseph's in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in food marketing. D'Ambra and his wife, Leslie, have three daughters - Samantha, Kylie and Milana. |
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