Morais Tabbed as Women's Soccer Head Coach

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information) 

Patchogue, NY| St. Joseph's College (L.I.) Assistant Vice President & Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation Shantey M. Hill announced on Thursday morning the appointment of Rafael Morais as head coach of the institution's women's soccer program.

Morais arrives at St. Joseph's having most recently served as head girls' soccer coach at Mattituck High School, a position he held for the 2016 season. At Mattituck, Morias helped lead the Tuckers to an 8-5 regular-season record in his inaugural campaign with the team.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be the head coach of the women's soccer program at St. Joseph's College, and I would like to thank the Director of Athletics, Shantey Hill, and the search committee for their consideration and confidence," said Morais of his appointment. "I'm excited to get started and my goal is to raise the level of soccer and help the team become a national contender."

Prior to Mattituck, Morais served as women's soccer head coach at Suffolk County Community College where he led the Sharks to a 10-4 mark, winning both the Region XV and District championships, before being knocked out in the first round of the NJCAA Women's Soccer National Championship.

In 2007, Morais took the reins of the men's soccer team at Briarcliffe College and led the Bulldogs to four-consecutive national championship games (2008-12), winning two National Championships in 2008 and 2012. The two-time USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) National Coach of the Year compiled an 85-12-5 overall record in his six-year tenure.

In addition to coaching at Briarcliffe, Morais was named head coach of the Puerto Rican Women's Soccer National Team at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Venezuela where he coached in two international friendlies against Mexico.

Morais is the owner of United World Soccer Academy and has had recent success with his club team, Farmingdale Legacy, winning the Girls-Under-18 State Open Cup back in 2016.

A former collegiate star, Morais began his playing career at Dowling College in 2002 before moving to LIU Post in 2004. The Pioneer appeared in over 57 games and tallied 14 goals and five assists for a total of 33 points and served as team captain in his junior year.

Morais, who currently resides in Center Moriches, NY, earned a Bachelor's of Arts in comparative language and Spanish in 2007.