KANSAS CITY, Mo. (SMU/United Soccer Coaches) – The SMU women's soccer coaching staff, comprised of head coach Chris Petrucelli and assistants Mat Cosgriff, Aubri Williamson and Matthew King, has been named the United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year.

The staff guided the Mustangs to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2006 with a first-round victory against Texas. Petrucelli and his staff directed SMU to a 12-5-2 record overall with 10 shutouts. The Mustangs earned non-conference wins against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, and a regular-season victory against eventual American Athletic Conference champion USF.

SMU was ranked in the top 25 for nine consecutive weeks, reaching as high as No. 14 twice. It was the highest the SMU program had been ranked since Oct. 26, 2000. Five Mustangs earned all-conference accolades, while two Mustangs were named to the all-freshman team. Courtney Sebazco and Brooke Golik were each named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team.

This is the third time Petrucelli has been named Region Coach of the Year (2002, 2006), but the first time during his tenure at SMU.