Simons steps down as Sage Men's Soccer Coach
Albany, NY—The Sage Colleges' department of athletics has announced that Keith Simons, Head Men's Soccer Coach has resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities and has accepted a position at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT). Sage will conduct a search to replace Simons as head men's soccer coach.
Keith Simons (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) took over as the head men's soccer coach at Sage in the spring of 2016. In his three seasons at Sage, he compiled a record of 21-24-8 and guided the Gators to back to back appearances in the league championship finals in both 2016 and 2017.
In his first year with the Gators, Simons directed the team back to the Skyline Conference Championship, only to drop a heartbreaker in the finals in overtime. He helped the young Sage team post a 7-8-5 overall record, while a pair of performers were honored as Skyline Conference All-Star players. Sage advanced to the finals after two contests were decided in penalty kicks in the post-season. Over the course of the 2016 Skyline season, Sage had a 5-5-1 showing in the Skyline Conference.
The team finished nationally ranked 12 team categories for the 2016 campaign. Then sophomore forward River Seybolt, who was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division III Men's All-East Regional Third Team as well as the 2016 Skyline Conference All-Star First Team, earned acclaim for his second season and ranked nationally in seven different categories. Seybolt, the 2015 Skyline Rookie of the Year, recorded a team-high 32 points on 15 goals and two assists.
In 2017, competing as a member of the Empire 8 conference, Sage went 10-6-2 and once again appeared in the league's championship match, falling in the finals. Along the way, Simons produced the Empire 8 Player of the Year in River Seybolt. The Gators had seven players honored with all-league selections and another three players also earned a posting on the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team.
For the second straight year, Simon's teams also earned acclaim for academic excellence as his 2017 and 2018 teams were recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as a team of excellence. Among the many honors his players at Sage have earned was a repeat selection as an Empire 8 First Team All-Star for River Seybolt, while numerous program records were also established during his tenure on the sidelines at Sage.
Sage Director of Athletics, Sandy Augstein-Collins commented, "Sage Athletics thanks Keith for his work with our men's soccer program." She added, "He has been a valuable team member and we wish him the best in his next endeavor."
