PHILADELPHIA - Peter Lowry has been named an assistant coach for the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team. The announcement was made by Penn's James C. Gentle Head Coach of Men's Soccer, Rudy Fuller. Lowry joins fellow recent hire Brian Gill as Fuller's top assistants.
"I feel very fortunate to have a coach of Peter's caliber join our staff at Penn," remarked Fuller. "The opportunity came about unexpectedly, and after speaking with Peter on a few occasions, I knew he would be a tremendous addition to our program."
Lowry comes to Penn after most recently having spent two seasons at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. The Bisons went 16-16-3 with Lowry on staff, including a 10-6-2 mark in 2016, the second-highest win total in program history.
"I am very excited to be joining the Penn soccer family and thankful to Rudy Fuller for the opportunity to help him grow the program and work with the exemplary student-athletes here at Penn," said Lowry. "I would also like to thank Charles Morrow and all the players and coaches and staff at Lipscomb University for the opportunity to work with them over the past couple years. My wife and I are both looking forward to joining the Penn family and enjoying the city of Philadelphia."
Prior to his stint in the Music City, Lowry served as an integral part on the staff at Saint Mary's College in California, where he helped lead the Gaels to a 19-14-6 mark in his two-year tenure. In 2014, Saint Mary's finished the year with a program-best mark of 12-5-2 and second-place finish in the West Coast Conference.
Before entering the college ranks, Lowry worked with the U16 and U18 San Juan Soccer Club U.S. Development Academy teams in Sacramento, Calif. in 2012.
A prolific player himself, Lowry was a McDonald's High School All-American out of Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, Calif., and since, has proved successful at every level of the game with a decorated career in youth club, college and the professional ranks.
Lowry played four seasons of collegiate soccer at Santa Clara University, where he led the Broncos to a No. 2 national ranking, two WCC championships and appearances in the Elite 8 and round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. A four-year starter and two-year team captain, Lowry finished his career with 22 goals, good for seventh all-time in program history, and 15 assists.
Awards began to stockpile for Lowry following his senior season that saw the Broncos garner a No. 7 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. He finished the year with eight goals and seven assists, and was named WCC Player of the Year for his efforts. He was also selected to the FIrst Team All-America by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, All-Far West Region First Team, All-WCC First Team, College Soccer News First Team All-America and the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season.
Lowry was a 2007 semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, given annually to the nation's top college soccer player, and for his contributions both on the field, in the classroom and in the community, he earned Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Second Team All-America honors.
After graduating from Santa Clara in 2008 with a degree in finance, Lowry was selected 26th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. He made his full professional debut for the Fire on July 1, 2008 in a U.S. Open Cup third-round game against the Cleveland City Stars. Over his three-year stint with the Fire, Lowry started in 20 of his 24 matches played and scored five goals.
The Missoula, Mont. native wrapped up his professional career with the Portland Timbers after being selected 13th overall in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. He saw action in three games and started twice. Before his time in Chicago, Lowry played in the USL Premier Development League for the Ajax Orlando Prospects ('04), Boulder Rapids Reserve ('04-'05) and San Jose Frogs ('07).
"Peter's experience as a student-athlete at Santa Clara and then as a professional player in MLS with the Portland Timbers and the Chicago Fire will certainly benefit the young men in our program," said Fuller. "During his time as an assistant coach at St. Mary's (CA) College and Lipscomb University, he played an integral role in their success on and off the field. I am confident that he will make an immediate impact on our program and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead."
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