University of the Cumberlands Athletics

Career Highlights
- Entering 11th Season (145-42-16 Record)
- NAIA Coach of the Year (2024)
- NAIA National Champions (2024)
- 6 NAIA Tournament Appearance (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- 4x MSC Coach of the Year (2018, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Head Coach Steve Hamilton is entering his 11th season at the helm of the Patriots women’s soccer program. Coach Hamilton has guided the Patriots to a 145-42-16 (57-15-8 Mid- South Conference) record, including a 12-8-0 mark in Mid-South Conference Tournament Play.

The Patriots appeared in their sixth straight NAIA tournament, and for the fifth straight year the team made it to the NAIA Final Site during the 2024 season. UC posted an 18-1 record on the season, including winning a program record 18 straight matches.  Cumberlands captured both the Mid-South Conference regular season and tournament titles, before qualifying to the NAIA National Tournament as the top-seed. UC went on to advance to the NAIA Final Site.  Jayden Boelter was named the NAIA Player of the Year & MSC Player of the Year, while the Patriots notched a program-best five NAIA All-Americans.

The 2023 season saw Cumberlands capture their first NAIA National Championships in program history after defeat #1 William Carey in penalty kicks.  It was the Patriots first time making it to the NAIA national championship game and Coach Hamilton was named the NAIA Coach of the Year, while he also earned MSC Coach of the Year honors for the third time.  UC finished the year with two All-Americans, including Jayden Boelter who was the first NAIA First Team All-American in program history.  

The 2022 season was capped off by a Quarterfinal win that sent UC to the national semifinals for the first time in program history. During the 2022 season, the Patriots faced 17 ranked opponents and finished with a 12-2-3 overall record. For the first time in program history, US finished the season ranked in the NAIA top-3. The 2022 season was one to be remembered, as the Patriots went undefeated in 18 straight matches and held a 9-0-1 conference play record to secure the Regular Season Conference Title. Hamilton had two All-Americans on the season, Laura Navajas and Selena Barnett, each of them earned third team honors. He also had seven players earn MSC awards, with four first team, one second team, two honorable mentions and a freshman of the year in Carola Fontan. Hamilton also secured his second MSC Coach of the Year award.

Hamilton led multiple Patriots into record breaking seasons. Navajas broke the programs assist record, and now has the most of all time with 42. Jayden Boelter, a First Team All-Conference recipient now holds third place in two offensive categories, with 20 single season goals and 51 in her career.

During the 2021 season, The Patriots' appeared in their third straight NAIA tournament, and for the second straight year the team made it to the NAIA Final Site. For the second time in school history, UC finished the season ranked in the NAIA top-10. The 2021 women's soccer team made their mark, as they secured the most shutouts (15) in program history. The Patriots' were also second in assists (62), tied for second in wins (16), third in points (162), and fourth in goals scored (60). Hamilton had one All-American on the season, Jayden Boelter, who earned honorable mention honors. Boelter also earned Mid-South First Team All-Conference, and tied for third in program history scoring 18 goals in the 2021 season.

In the 2021 season, Cumberlands had one of their most successful seasons in program history. The Patriots won the program's first MSC Title, earning the MSC Tournament Champions. The team made it to the NAIA Final Site Quarterfinals for the first time after going 2-0-0 at the Williamsburg Bracket Opening Site. UC outscored opponents 70-17 and posted a program best of 12 shutouts. Before this season no player had earned higher than NAIA All-American Honorable Mention status, but under the guidance of Coach Hamilton, both Laura Navajas Marin (Second Team) and Shara Randez (Third Team) earned a spot on the All-American Teams along with Selena Barnett, Jayden Boelter and Ainhoa Camara getting Honorable Mention.

Hamilton earned his first National Tournament win in 2019 with a 3-1 victory over Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday, November 22 in the Lakeland Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round.  

Hamilton has had 26 players garner First Team All-Conference honors, 29 players receive Second Team All-Conference recognition, and 12 players to earn All-American Honors; the only players to earn national recognition in program history. In 2017, Shara Randez became the first Patriot player in program history to be named the MSC Freshman of the Year. In addition to his success on the field, the Patriots have had 58 players named NAIA-Daktronics All-Americans.

Prior to UC, Hamilton spent eight seasons as the Head Coach of Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. He was recognized as the Coach of the Year in 2007. He also coached ENC to its first-ever home conference (TCCC) playoff win in 2011, its first ECAC Tournament in school history in 2013, and its first-ever home conference playoff semifinal game in 2014. Previously, Coach Hamilton was at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY where he went 20-16 in two seasons.

Hamilton began his career as a soccer player as well as a track and field athlete at Roberts Wesleyan College from 1996-1999. He graduated in 1999 with a degree in Education and Psychology. After graduating, he continued his playing career as a member of the United Soccer League (USL), playing for Frazier Valley in 2001.

Hamilton earned Advanced National and Premier Diplomas (2006-2011) and earned a World Football Academy Periodization Diploma in 2014. He also earned a Masters of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from California University of Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2024, Coach Hamilton earned his UEFA-B coaching license.  

During his previous two coaching stints, he has coached 38 All-Conference players and one All-Region player.
 

Athletic & Academic Awards Under Steve Hamilton