PHILADELPHIA - Steve DeMatteo has joined the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team as an assistant coach, announced by James C. Gentle Head Coach Brian Gill. DeMatteo joins the staff following the departure of Peter Lowry. 

"First off, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter for all of his dedication and hard work towards our program over the last couple of years," said Gill. "I very much appreciate all the time and effort he has given to Penn Soccer as well as to our players to make them better. We will miss having him around the program, but I wish he and his family all of the best with everything moving forward."

DeMatteo joins the Quakers following stops as as an assistant coach at at Arcadia and Lafayette, and most recently, two years as head coach at Manhattanville College. There, he accumulated a 21-14-1 record, including a 13-6 mark last season, the most wins for the program since 2011. The 2018 MAC Freedom Coach of the Year, DeMatteo helped land the Valiants a program-record nine all-conference selections last fall. 

"We are excited to announce that Steve DeMatteo will be joining the program at this time," added Gill. "With Peter stepping away, it gave us an opportunity to look at the program's needs as well as what would best complement our coaching staff. Steve is someone that I have known in coaching over the years and had the chance to learn more about him recently in the times he has come to work our ID Camps. He has done a good job developing as a coach during his time as an assistant coach at Arcadia University and Lafayette College, then most recently as the head coach at Manhattanville College. Steve has a solid understanding of the direction we are trying to move the program and I think he will be a tremendous asset to our staff, as well as our players."

"First, I must thank Head Coach Brian Gill for providing me the opportunity to be a part of the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer program," commented DeMatteo. "I am excited to begin working with such a fantastic and respected staff at an amazing university. I am greatly looking forward to creating and developing relationships with the student-athletes, while continuing the strong soccer tradition of the program. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, mentors, and former players who have allowed me to continue to grow and develop as a coach."  

DeMatteo came to Manhattanville after spending the previous two years as an assistant coach at Lafayette. Working with the team's back four, he crafted the unit into the best defense in the Patriot League in 2016, conceding a conference-low 1.06 goals per game. That followed up on his first season, in which the Leopards allowed only 17 goals in 18 matches (0.94 goals/game). Previously, DeMatteo spent two seasons as the top assistant coach at Arcadia from 2013-15. He played a role in all aspects of the program including recruiting, scouting and on-field training sessions.

DeMatteo has also worked extensively at the elite and academy youth level of the game. In 2016 and 2017 DeMatteo lead the Patriot FC 99 boys to back to back USYS PA East State Cup Championships. In 2016 the same team finished as USYS Region 1 Semi-Finalist. Prior to his time at Patriot FC DeMatteo worked with Match Fit Academy FC in NJ. During his time at Match Fit DeMatteo worked with U14 USSDA team as well as the U13 and U12 Pre-Academy teams.
  
As a player, DeMatteo began his career at Drew University before spending his last three seasons at William Paterson University. He started 45 of his 46 appearances on the field for the Pioneers, scoring eight goals with five assists for 21 points. The 2013 William Paterson graduate is still tied for first all-time at the school in both matches started and matches played in a season, starting all 22 appearances in 2008 for the ECAC Metro Tournament champions. Additionally, in 2010 DeMatteo played 1 season in the National Premier Soccer League for the New Jersey based club NJ Blaze. DeMatteo currently holds licenses from the United States Soccer Federation as well as the United Soccer Coaches Association.