New England Soccer Today

PDL: Harrison Takes Reins at AC Connecticut

Photo credit: David Henry/sweetdogphotos.com

Photo credit: David Henry/sweetdogphotos.com

AC Connecticut will have a new face at the helm this summer as former assistant Alex Harrison was named head coach of the PDL side on Thursday.

Harrison, who served as an assistant under former head coach Shaun Bailey in 2015, will be tasked with returning the Nutmeg State selection to the postseason, which it reached two seasons ago.

“I’m very grateful for the trust and reliance the organization has shown in my appointment, as trust is a key attribute that has played a big part in my professional career,” Harrison said in a club release. “The full focus from day one will be to continue to fill the squad with the very best players from all areas. The pipeline of top amateur soccer players is key to all success.”

Harrison, originally from Eastbourne, England, was a two-time All-American, a two-time Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year in the Northeast Conference while at Central Connecticut State University. In his sophomore year, he was the NCAA Division I leading goal scorer.

The squad that Harrison inherits finished 2015 on 11 points with a 2-7-5 record, falling short of a second-straight playoff berth. But according to Connecticut general manager Robin Schuppert, the hire of Harrison, who also coaches the organization’s U-17 squad, should allow the club to reverse its fortunes in 2016.

“Alex’s philosophies on and off the field match our ambitions for the club,” Schuppert said in a club release. “As the head coach for our U-17’s he will certainly be able to build a bridge for some of our top youth players to join our PDL squad.

“At the same time, Alex is very well connected and will be able to attract and develop some of the Northeast’s top collegiate soccer players.”

The PDL is expected to release its 2016 schedule in the coming weeks.

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