Head Coach

Melissa Sherwood 

Melissa Sherwood has been named the new head coach for St. Bonaventure women's soccer, Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob Beretta announced Jan. 29. Sherwood arrives at St. Bonaventure following multiple head coaching stints at Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schools, most recently at Mount St. Mary's.

"We are extremely excited to name Melissa Sherwood as the next leader of our women's soccer program," Beretta said. "Melissa brings a wealth of Division I head coaching experience and possesses all the qualities we look for in a head coach. She has a history of elevating programs wherever she's been and we are confident she will do the same here at Bona's."

Sherwood becomes the 13th head coach in the more than 40-year history of St. Bonaventure women's soccer.

Sherwood spent three seasons at The Mount, guiding the program to the MAAC Tournament semifinals in her second season at the helm. She coached three All-MAAC selections in her time in Emmitsburg, MD.

"I am excited to be selected as the new head coach for women's soccer at St. Bonaventure," Sherwood said. "I am eager to get started on this new journey with the team, the coaching staff, all our support staff, alumnae and everyone who is proud to associate themselves with St. Bonaventure. The Atlantic 10 is an outstanding conference with a great history. It is my job to lead Bonnies women's soccer to fulfill their maximum potential as a competitor within this collegiate athletic environment of excellence, and to me, that means not just surviving but thriving. I would like to thank Bob Beretta and his senior administration for entrusting me with the responsibility and privilege of leading this program forward. Go Bonnies!"

Prior to Mount St. Mary's, Sherwood served as associate head coach at Northwestern State during the 2021 season, where she helped guide the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005.

Sherwood spent four seasons at Saint Peter's from 2016-2019, leading the program to a MAAC Tournament appearance in 2017.

She started her coaching career as the head coach at Immaculata High School in New Jersey (2012-15) and on the club scene as the director of female club soccer at Advanced Total Soccer Coaching (2011-14).

As a player, Sherwood competed at England's top college program (Leeds Metropolitan University) as part of a 10-year playing career with sides such as Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield among others.  Leeds Metropolitan won the BUCS national championship in 2008 and won their conference in every season with Sherwood.  Sherwood also played professionally for leagues in Australia (Central Coast Mariners) and the United States (North Jersey Valkyries).

"We had tremendous interest in this position and our search committee did an outstanding job of finding the perfect fit to lead the Bonnies," Beretta said. "We are thrilled to add someone to our coaching staff who is so highly respected in the industry. Melissa is committed to developing our players to the highest level of their potential, on the pitch and off, as they seek excellence in all they do."