ORONO, Maine – University of Maine soccer head coach Scott Atherley has announced the addition of Alexis Smith as associate head coach ahead of the 2025 season.

Smith comes to Orono after spending the last seven seasons at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, including the last two seasons as associate head coach. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Alexis to our team and family," said Atherley. "From the beginning of the search process it was apparent that her personal values were in complete alignment with ours. Alexis brings a wealth of collegiate experience to our program and is someone who has a proven record of developing student-athletes. Above all, Alexis is a great person and she will serve as an exemplary  teammate as a member of our staff and role model for our players."  

While at SIUE, Smith worked primarily with the goalkeepers and helped lead the Cougars to three straight Ohio Valley Conference Tournament titles and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2020, 2021, 2022) as well as the OVC regular season title in 2021. Overall, Smith worked with 23 All-OVC selections and five major award winners including two Defender of the Year winners, one Midfielder of the Year winner and two Forward of the Year honorees. Off the field, Smith oversaw recruiting, team film breakdown, scouting reports and all team travel breakdown.

Prior to SIU, Smith was an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at her alma mater, Bowling Green State University. While with the Falcons, she mentored five All-MAC selections. Additionally, Smith spent six years as a coach with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club Illinois as well as time coaching with the Bowling Green Soccer Club, Pacesetter Soccer Club and the Perrysburg Soccer Club.

A goalkeeper, Smith played collegiately at Bowling Green and Schoolcraft College. After graduation, she played one season with the Cleveland Ambassadors of the Women's Professional Soccer League.

Smith earned the USSF B license in 2022 and holds C, D E and F licenses as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

The Livonia, Mich. earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Bowling Green in 2016 and graduated with an associate of art's degree in Psychology from Schoolcraft College in 2014.

-UMaine-