Women's Soccer Coach

Head Coach Josh Murton

Coach Murton is entering his fourth season as the head coach of the OCU women's soccer program.  The program was started in 2009 and continues to grow every year.  In 2011, the women won more games in any of the previous season while scoring more goals and a tougher schedule.  The women did win thier first NAIA opponent in 2011 defeating Berea College 4-2.  In all 3 years of existance, the women have made it to the Mid East Regional Final.

While coaching the women's program, Murton also runs the men's program at OCU.  A tough task but one that can only be accomplished with what he say's "excellent assistants".  

Coach Murton has been active in the coaching ranks since 2002 coaching at the club, high school and college levels. In 2009 he was asked to coach the 1995 Olympic Development Program (ODP) Ohio South State Girls Teams.  He has led his club teams at Pride Soccer Club to the finals at the Creek Classic and Staburst Tournaments, while also focusing on excellence in integrity, academics and sportsmanship. His teams have been awarded the MOSSL Sportsmanship award, OSHAA Southeast Region All-Academic team (3 times) and the OSHAA Southeast Region Sportsmanship Awards.

Individual women players have shown growth under Coach Murton's tutelage. OCU has had three 2nd Team All-American's, eleven 1st-Team All-Regional Players, six honorable mention players and 3 NCCAA Players of the week.

A native of Chillicothe, Ohio, Murton graduated from the University of Cincinnati where he was part of the UC Football team as an Assistant Video Coordinator and recruiter. After graduating from UC, Murton was in the Commercial Real Easte business as a Consultant. Realizing that education was where he wanted to be, he left his job and pursued a teaching career. In 2002, he started coaching for Zane Trace High School and became the Business Teacher there in 2003. In 2005 he made a move to Teays Valley High School where he coached and taught for 3 years.

Coach Murton holds his USSF National D License and is currently finishing up work on his USSF C License.

Coach Murton and his wife Laura, reside in South Bloomfield, Ohio and have a son Jack (4) and a daughter Emma (2) and they are expecting a third in June.

MURTON's COLLEGE CAREER 

YEAR    SCHOOL                        W-L-T      Pts.     GF  GA    +/-   HONORS

2011    Ohio Christian Univ.    6-14-0    18      26  47    -21    Mid East Regional Finalists

2010    Ohio Christian Univ.    4-13-1    13      18  58    -39    Mid East Regional Finalists

2009    Ohio Christian Univ.    3-4-1      10       8    17    -9      Mid East Regional Finalists

                      Overall Record    13-31-2

Head Assistant Coach James McIlhargey

Coach James McIlhargey will enter his 4th season as an assistant coach of the OCU women’s soccer program bringing a wealth of knowledge and energy to a sport he loves. Along with his college coaching experience, Coach "Mac" is also on staff at Pride Soccer Club in which his first club team to become champions at the MASC Tournament in Cincinnati.

A native of Toledo, OH, McIlhargey played soccer at and graduated from Toledo Christian High School. He obtained his Bachelors degree from Ohio Christian University in 2001 where he stayed on as the Network Administrator for the University. He played two years of collegiate soccer at OCU, winning Offensive MVP both years as well as the highest athletic honor given by the University, the Trailblazer Award.

Coach McIlhargey holds his USSF National D License.

Coach McIlhargey and his wife Amy, reside in Circleville, Ohio.