2016 Colonial Conference Champions
HADDONFIELD Athletics
Home of the HADDONS
Boys Varsity Soccer
Biography:
Alma Mater: Haddonfield Memorial (2001), McDaniel College (2005), Wilmington University (2014)
Career Record: 59 - 22 - 5
Experience: 8th Year Overall at HMHS, 5th Year as Head Boys Soccer Coach
2017 will mark Head Coach Ryan Nixon’s 8th season on the sidelines for his alma mater Haddonfield and fifth season at the helm.
During his eight years on staff since 2010, Haddonfield has won 109 Varsity games, reached the South Jersey Championship twice in 2011 and 2016, and won four Colonial Conference Championships (2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016).
During his first four years in charge, Nixon has led the Bulldawgs to a combined 59 - 22 - 5 record along with a pair of Colonial Conference Liberty Division Titles in 2015 and 2016.
2016’s Varsity run picked up right where the 2015 season left off and Haddonfield claimed its second consecutive Colonial Conference Championship (the program's 26th overall). The Varsity team went 12-1-2 in Colonial Conference play and extended their two year league record to 27-1-3. 78 goals were scored en route to a 16-5-2 overall record which also included an invite to the prestigious SJSCA Coaches Tournament as the #15 seed. The season ended with a memorable playoff run that saw the #7 Bulldawgs upset #2 Middle Township (1-0) in the South Jersey Quarterfinal and #3 Point Pleasant Boro (1-0) in the South Jersey Semifinal before dropping its final contest to #1 Delran in the South Jersey Group Two Championship, 0-1.
2015 was a banner year for HMHS Boys Soccer and saw the program’s first Colonial Conference Championship during Coach Nixon’s tenure (program's 25th overall). The Dawgs went on an unbeaten streak through the first 17 games of the season and in 21 total games, Haddonfield allowed only 8 goals while also shutting out 16 different opponents. In Colonial Conference play, Haddonfield also went 15-0-1 and eventually placed six (6) players on the All-Colonial Conference Liberty Division First Team along with three (3) All-South Jersey Honorees. Despite ending its season at 18-2-1 with a disappointing 0-1 loss to Delran in the South Jersey Group Two Quarterfinal, the Bulldawgs were named the 2015 Colonial Conference Team of the Year by NJ.com.
In 2014, the Varsity went 11-9 and saw its program streak of double-digits wins seasons extend to seven (7). Plagued by injuries throughout the entire regular season, the Varsity still managed a memorable midseason home win against West Deptford (1-0) and were the eventual #7 seed in the South Jersey Group Two playoffs.
In 2013, Nixon mentored the Varsity for the first time after taking over for longtime legendary Head Coach, Joe Falana after he resigned following 38 illustrious years with the program. The 2013 Varsity squad managed a 14-6-2 record along with a #11 seed invitation to the prestigious SJSCA Coaches Tournament and also made an appearance in the South Jersey Group Two Semifinal against West Deptford after a thrilling 5-4 penalty kick shootout win over rival Sterling High School.
Prior to being named HMHS Head Boys Soccer Coach in 2013, Nixon served as an assistant under Joe Falana from 2010 - 2012. During that time, Haddonfield claimed two straight Colonial Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012 and also the program’s 17th overall south Jersey sectional crown in 2011. Haddonfield went an impressive 50-13-3 during Nixon’s tenure as an assistant.
In addition to his role as HMHS Head Boys Soccer Coach, Nixon served as Technical Director and Head Coach of the Deptford FC Premier SDS Dragons (U15 Boys) in 2014 and 2015; the #10 ranked team in New Jersey during that span.
During each Fall and in the offseason, Nixon has also served as a Youth Soccer Trainer, Staff Coach, and Head Coach for the Haddonfield Soccer Club since 2008.
As a player, Nixon was a four year contributor and Varsity letter winner for the McDaniel College (MD) Green Terror Men’s Soccer Program from 2001-2004. During his four years on “the Hill”, he helped to set program records for wins in a season with 15 in 2003 and wins over a four year career with 46. Both records still stand at McDaniel.
Nixon is a Certified NFHS Soccer Coach, holds a New Jersey Youth Soccer and USSF "E" License, has earned Special Topics Diplomas in Player Development Curriculum from the NSCAA, and is also a certified TOPSoccer instructor by New Jersey Youth Soccer.
He currently resides with his wife, Lauren and daughter, Olivia in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Francis Schmutz.
Varsity Assistant Coach
Biography:
In 2016, Schmutz once again mentored a Varsity defense that kept 9 clean sheets and allowed only 23 goals during the entire season over 23 games, despite having to replace 4 out of 5 defensive starters from 2015. In addition, Coach Schmutz also oversaw technical training for the Varsity throughout the season and helped the team reach its first South Jersey Championship since 2011.
2015 saw Coach Schmutz take the reins of the Varsity Assistant post within the program and helped to oversee a group that won a 3rd Colonial Conference Championship in 5 years (2011, 2012, and 2015). Coach Schmutz worked primarily on the defensive side of the ball and mentored a defensive unit that shut out 16 opponents in 21 contests while allowing only 8 goals during the entire season. Down the stretch, Haddonfield’s defense did not allow a single goal for 500+ minutes against six different opponents, including traditional rival Haddon Heights (5-0 W) and the #13 seed in the SJSCA Coaches Cup, Millville (4-0 W).
In 2014, Schmutz was introduced to HMHS Soccer and mentored the Freshmen Team against a largely Group 4 schedule. Despite the obvious strength of schedule he faced, Schmutz’s Freshmen earned a respectable 10-4-3 record and accounted well for themselves in every contest.
Aside from his coaching duties at Haddonfield, Coach Schmutz also serves as a Staff Coach and Trainer for Soccer Development Schools EDP Program in Deptford, NJ. He also serves as Youth Development Officer for Deptford FC Premier and oversees the club's EDP level player development during the fall and spring seasons.
Prior to joining the staff at Haddonfield, Schmutz was a standout defender from 2010 - 2012 for Albright College (PA) where he made 49 career appearances along with an impressive 46 starts. Schmutz was also named to the 2012 Middle Atlantic Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Schmutz graduated from his native Cherry Hill High School East in 2010 and left an indelible mark on longtime Coach Karl Moehlmann’s program. He was a 3-year Varsity letter winner and as a senior captain in 2010, he was named first team All-Olympic Conference as well as third team All-South Jersey by the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association.
Coach Schmutz currently resides in Cherry Hill and is pursuing his teaching degree from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.
Vincent Del Duca.
Varsity Reserves Coach
Biography:
Alma Mater: Haddonfield Memorial (2012), Notre Dame University (2016)
Experience: 1st Year at HMHS
HMHS Soccer alum and former goalkeeper standout Vincent Del Duca will join the Boys Soccer Coaching Staff in 2016 as the new Varsity Reserves Coach (JV). Coach Del Duca was a member of the 2011 Varsity team that captured a South Jersey Group Two Championship along with a Colonial Conference Liberty Division Title that same year. That 2011 Varsity team won 19 games and ultimately fell just short of making an appearance in the State Group Two Championship game, after falling 2-1 in a thrilling contest against perennial powerhouse Holmdel in the State Semifinal.
Coach Del Duca will lead the Varsity Reserves and assist with preparing the goalkeepers at all levels of the program. His strength of character and experience at multiple levels of Haddonfield Soccer are both solid indicators for future success as a coach and he will be counted on to prepare and evaluate players.
Biography:
Alma Mater: Cherry Hill East (2008), Widener University (2012)
Sub-Varsity Record (Freshmen Head Coach 2015-2016): 24-6-2
Experience: 9th Year Overall at HMHS
Varsity Assistant Coach Vincent Miracola returns to the Haddonfield sideline for his ninth season with the program in 2023.
Coach 'Vin' continues his efforts in growing the defensive strength of the team at the Varsity level. 2020 saw him mentor a Varsity defensive unit that allowed 16 goals in 13 games; good for a goals against average of just over one goal per game. During the fall season in 2019, as has become his forte with the program, his coaching contributions on the defensive side of the ball helped the Varsity to achieve a fourth Colonial Conference Liberty Division Title in five seasons. In addition during 2019, under his tutelage, Senior Captain Cole Roddy was named 1st Team All-Conference and was recognized as the Liberty Division's Defender of the Year.
In 2018, Coach Miracola once again mentored a Varsity defensive unit that shut out ten different opponents. 2017 marked Coach Miracola's first campaign with Haddonfield Soccer as the Varsity Assistant Coach and with that role change, he helped to coach a group that won 21 games and a third straight Colonial Conference Championship. Miracola coached the Freshmen team in both 2015 and 2016.
Prior to taking over the Freshmen Boys Soccer Coach Position at Haddonfield, Miracola was a Cherry Hill Football Club Trainer and Staff Coach within the club’s travel program from 2012 to 2013.
Aside from his coaching duties, Miracola is also an accomplished player at multiple levels. He made his name as a hard-working left back at his alma mater Cherry Hill High School East and later at NCAA Division III Widener University in Chester, PA. At High School East, Miracola was a three year Varsity letter winner, twice earned All-Olympic Conference Designation, and was a member of the SCANJ All-State Honorable Mention Team as a senior. As a three-year collegiate soccer player at Widener University, Miracola reached the Middle Atlantic Conference Final as a Freshman in 2008 and competed in the ECAC Tournament as a player that same year. His former men’s amateur team, South Philly United, won the coveted Kelly Cup as Philadelphia’s top men’s amateur team in the fall of 2015 and summer 2016.
Coach Miracola is a special education teacher in the Pennsauken Public School District and holds multiple teaching certificates in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as his NFHS Coaching License and a USSF Coaching License.
Coach currently resides in Wenonah with his wife, Ally and son, Alonzo.
Kevin Murphy.
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Biography:
Volunteer Assistant Coach Kevin Murphy will rejoin the HMHS Boys Soccer Coaching Staff in 2017. Coach Murphy brings a wealth of experience at various levels of the sport. He has served Haddonfield Soccer Club during two separate runs as a team trainer (2009 - 2010 and 2014 - present) and has built a reputation as a talented evaluator and teacher of the technical aspects of the game.
Coach Murphy's professional experience within the game of soccer also includes involvement at various levels of Major League Soccer. He worked with Major League Soccer Camps as a Player Development Officer and Trainer during the early 2000's in addition to roles with both the former NY/NJ MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) and the Colorado Rapids. With the Rapids, he interned with their community relations department and oversaw various community outreach programs. While with the MetroStars, Coach Murphy worked as an academy administrator and was involved with the ground-level development and implementation of their first ever youth soccer academy.
An accomplished player in his youth, Murphy began his college playing career with Division 1 Rutgers University (1996 - 1997) before transferring and joining Kutztown (PA) University's Men's Soccer Program (1997 - 2000).
Coach Murphy will provide his wealth of experience and oversee functional training with the forwards at every level of the program as well as assist at all levels on the sidelines.
Chris Tarbell.
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Biography:
Alma Mater: Haddonfield Memorial (2007), United States Coast Guard Academy (2011)
Experience: 2nd Year Overall at HMHS
HMHS Boys Soccer Alum Chris Tarbell rejoins the staff in 2017 for his second year as a Volunteer Assistant following an exemplary playing career at multiple levels. Coach Tarbell represented Haddonfield Boys Soccer as a player with undeniable toughness and was a highly regarded varsity goalkeeper for Head Coach Joe Falana from 2003 to 2006. His career was highlighted by winning a State Championship (the program's 7th overall) in 2005.
Coach Tarbell continued his playing career at the United States Coast Guard Academy (NCAA Division 3) from 2007 to 2010 and once again won accolades as a starting goalkeeper for the Bears. Coach Tarbell was named an All New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) standout performer in 2010, was the New England Division III Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week in October 2010, and was also named NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Week during the 2010 fall season. During his time as a player at the Coast Guard Academy, the Bears laid claim to 37 wins over a four year span and visited the ECAC Post-season Tournament twice.
Following his playing career, Coach Tarbell won the distinguished Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his service aboard the CGC Sherman from 2011 to 2013.
Coach Tarbell will provide his wealth of experience and knowledge as the Head Goalkeeping Coach for the second year in a row in 2017.
