Providence College Women's Soccer

Head Coach Sam Lopes on Instagram: @PC_CoachLopes Follow Head Coach Sam Lopes on X: @PC_CoachLopes Coaching Highlights (At Providence) 105–85–36 Overall Record 8 BIG EAST Postseason Appearances (2014-19, 2021, 2023) 1 BIG EAST Tournament Final Appearance (2015) 2 NCAA Tournament Appearance (2021, 2023) Sam Lopes was named the ninth head coach of the Providence women’s soccer program on April 10, 2014 and will embark on his 13th season on the sidelines in 2026. Lopes is the winningest head coach in Providence College women’s soccer history, owning an all-time record of 105–85–36 and earned his 100th career victory at Providence on August 14, 2025. In his first 10 seasons as head coach, Lopes has guided the Friars to eight winning seasons, two appearance in the NCAA Tournament (2021, 2023) and appearances in eight of the last 10 BIG EAST Tournaments (2014-2019, 2021, 2023). In 2023, Lopes led the Friars to the program's second NCAA Tourniment appearance in a three-year span. Providence fell to Mississippi State in the First round of the NCAA Tourniment in Starkville, Miss. Providence finished 9-3-5 overall and 4-1-5 in BIG EAST play. The team finished fourth in the conference and was awarded the No. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament. Lopes coached five players to All-BIG EAST First, Second or Third Teams honors, setting a program record. The honorees included Meg Hughes to the All-BIG EAST First Team, Avery Sneed and Kayla Briggs to the All-BIG EAST Second Team and Emma Bodmer

Women's SoccerMorales, O.P., Fr. IsaacBarbosa, PatrickDay-Sukumaran, KatieLopes, SamMorales, O.P., Fr. IsaacStidham, GrantZielinski, Michele

Women's SoccerSkip AdStidham, GrantBarbosa, PatrickDay-Sukumaran, KatieLopes, SamMorales, O.P., Fr. IsaacStidham, GrantZielinski, Michele

Katie Day '19 was hired as an Assistant Coach to the Providence College women's soccer team in 2021. Prior to becoming an assistant coach, Day spent two year...

Michele Zielinski has served as Assistant Athletic Trainer at Providence College since August of 2009. She is currently the team trainer for women’s soccer and the dance team, as well as the insurance coordinator for sports medicine. Prior to her current role with the Friars, Zielinski served as an athletic trainer for field hockey (2009-11), and women’s ice hockey (2011-17). Zielinski was named insurance coordinator for sports medicine in 2011. In this role, she serves as liaison for on and off campus emergency management services, C3Logix for concussion baseline and injury testing of student-athletes, as well as training for the athletic staff across seven Friar teams. Zielinski came to the Friars from Manhattan College where she was a graduate assistant from 2006 to 2009 .She oversaw healthcare for the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. In 2009 he earned her Master's of Science in Education in general and special education. Prior to Manhattan College, Zielinski graduated in 2006 from Marist College with a Bachelors Degree in athletic training. Zielinski is a member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association, RI Athletic Trainer's Association, College Athletic Trainer's Society, and Alliance for Intercollegiate Sports Medicine. Zielinski has completed many certifications including, certified American Red Cross - CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, certified athletic trainer through the board of certification, licensed athletic trainer in R.I., and certified in Graston,

Patrick Barbosa is a Rhode Island native whose playing career included time with premier clubs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Bristol Community College, Western United’s USL Super 20 team, and in the Luso American Soccer Association (LUSA). He joined the Providence College women’s soccer staff in June 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach and was promoted to full-time assistant within three months. In his first season on staff, Patrick helped the Friars reach the 2023 BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament First Round. Patrick works closely with the program’s attacking methodology implementing their game model, focusing on creativity, decision making, and execution in the final third. His coaching philosophy emphasizes high pressing, possession-based soccer with positional rotations and attacking freedom. In addition to his on-field coaching responsibilities, Barbosa plays a key role in opponent scouting, video analysis, and match preparation. He utilizes platforms such as Spiideo, Hudl, and Wyscout to deliver performance breakdowns and individualized player reports. He is also actively involved in recruiting and player identification, leveraging his experience from Bayside FC to strengthen the program’s talent pipeline. Since joining Providence, Barbosa has contributed to the development of four players who have advanced to professional soccer. Outside of Providence College, Patrick serves as a staff coach with Bayside FC’s Girls Academy pro