WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 27, 2020) - The University of Central Missouri Head Soccer Coach Lewis Theobald has announced the hiring of Michael Eade as the assistant women's soccer coach.

As a former graduate assistant at UCM, Eade returns to campus after spending the last two seasons as a club coach and Developmental Academy (DA) Goalkeeper coach for Sporting Blue Valley.

"We are excited to welcome Michael and his family back to UCM," said Theobald. "He was a huge part of our 2017 National Championship Season, and cares deeply about our program. I knew getting the right person for this position was critical to our future success, and we have added someone who will truly care about our players and has experience at all levels of the game."

During his first two seasons at UCM as a graduate assistant coach in 2016-17, the Jennies posted a 47-2 record, winning the 2017 NCAA DII National Championship and the 2016 NCAA Central Region championship. Eade worked closely with the Jennies goalkeepers who recorded 40 shutouts in 49 games while allowing just 12 goals against in his time with them.

In 2017, Eade helped guide the Jennies to a perfect 26-0 season as they won their first NCAA Division II National Championship in program history. The Jens also won their eighth straight MIAA Regular Season Championship, fourth straight MIAA Conference Tournament crown, and fourth straight Central Region Championship. For his efforts, Eade was named as a member of the United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Staff of the Year, and for the second consecutive season, was a member of the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

During the national championship season, Eade helped guide the goalkeepers to their best season in program history. Under his tutelage, they tied the Division II record for shutouts in a season with 21. Senior goalkeeper Ana Dilkes was named the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Player of the Year. Dilkes also set the Division II record for career shutouts with 64, earning 38 of those shutouts in her two seasons under Eade. Additionally, Dilkes was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American, a D2CCA First Team All-American the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the NCAA Tournament to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the MIAA goalkeeper of the year.

In the Jennies 2016 season, Eade assisted the Jennies to 19 shutouts while allowing a then-program-low of just seven goals all season. The Jennies also posted a 0.30 goals against average which was the best in all of Division II. UCM earned their third-straight Central Region Championship, seventh-straight MIAA Regular Season Championship, and third-straight MIAA Tournament Championship. The team finished the year with a 21-2 record and Eade was named as a member of the NSCAA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Prior to his graduate assistantship at UCM, Eade spent the 2015 season as a volunteer assistant at Division I Creighton where he worked with the goalkeepers and scouted the opposition.

Eade's coaching career began at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where he helped the Huskies to the second round of the 2010 DII NCAA Tournament. Goalkeeper Frances Nicoletti earned Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference recognition in both seasons Eade worked with the goalkeepers.

Following his time at Bloomsburg, Eade coached at the DI level for the next three years. Eade spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons at the University of Rhode Island as the women's goalkeeper coach, and the 2014 season spent at Bryant University as a volunteer assistant. During his time at Bryant University, sophomore goalkeeper Kaylan Conrad was named to the Northeast Conference Second Team.

Also in the fall of 2014 season, Eade was the part-time goalkeeper coach for Johnson and Wales University (R.I.) men's soccer team. Eade helped the Wildcats to the 2014 Great Northeast Conference Regular Season and Conference Tournament titles, as well as a first-round appearance in the NCAA DIII Championship. Starting goalkeeper Ryan Dzierzawski was named First Team All-Conference and to the GNAC Championship All-Tournament Team.

Eade is a native of Buckhurst Hill, England. His playing background includes collegiate experience at Park University from 2007-2010. As a player, Eade was named the 2008 MCAC Defensive Player of the Year, 2008 MCAC First Team All-Conference, and led Park to two NAIA national tournament appearances. The Pirates were also won the 2007 MCAC regular season title and Region IV Tournament championship.

Prior to earning his undergraduate degree, Eade was involved with two professional clubs in England. He spent three seasons as part of Luton Towns Youth Training Scheme (YTS) and four seasons with the Tottenham Hotspurs youth academy. Eade began his playing career with local side Buckhurst Hill Football Club and is now a member of their hall of fame.

Eade graduated from Park University in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and management. He earned his master's in instructional technology from Bloomsburg University (Pa.) in 2012 and earned a second master's degree in career and technology education leadership from the University of Central Missouri in December of 2017. He holds his United Soccer Coaches Level I, II and III Goalkeeping Diplomas, a USSF National B License, and the USYS National Youth License.

Eade resides in Olathe Kansas with his wife, Haley, and their two sons, Jett and Beckett.