WHAT A CAREER
Russo’s 32-year run at the helm ends one win shy of national title
It wasn’t the way it was supposed to end.
It was supposed to be Joe Russo ceremoniously carried off the field, hoisting a national championship trophy surrounded by the ecstatic players of The College of New Jersey women’s soccer team.
Sadly, Russo’s great 32year run as coach and an amazing 2021 journey by the players came to an end on Saturday as Christopher Newport captured the Division III national title with a 2-0 win over the Lions in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“It has been fantastic,” said Russo, of his years coaching at TCNJ. “It was a great run. If you told me when we started in 1990 that we’d be to 13 Final Fours and win some national championship, you’d be crazy. It has been remarkable for me. I had some great opportunities and memories that I will never forget.”
This was certainly a very memorable season from the day before the first practice when Russo told the team of his retirement.
Win for coach, sure, but mostly this group was so close it was about winning for each other, too.
Russo’s message to the team after the game was one of pride and thankfulness.
“I told them that I loved them and enjoyed the ride that we have been on,” related Russo. “I thanked them for letting me hang on for a little bit to go with them. I couldn’t have asked more.”
Christopher Newport (22-0-1), which is an affiliate member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference in football, got a goal at 18:06 of the first half.
Then in the second half a penalty kick was awarded to CNU and Riley Cook converted for the final margin of victory.
TCNJ (21-1-2) never got untracked offensively and once it was behind 2-0 it changed what the Lions wanted to do.
“Christopher Newport played well and they took us out of a lot of things we like to do consistently,” said Russo. “My hat is off to them. We didn’t string any balls together. I liked our start and then we kind of grew out of it.”
The disappointment was evident in Gianna Coppola, as the junior fought tears after the game.
“I’m so proud of us,” said Coppola. “I have never been on a team like this before. The love and the chemistry we have for each other is unmatched. We had an amazing season and there’s nothing to do but learn from this and come back next season. I’m just do proud of this team.”
Disappointment and
pride, pretty much sums up the feeling from Russo, the coaching staff and every player.
“This is an exceptional group and I’m extremely proud and I don’t think one game defines what we’ve accomplished and who we really are,” said Russo. “I feel for the seniors because they don’t get another chance. I
told them before the game this is our last 90 minutes together.”
It has been an awesome 32-years for Russo and longtime assistant Bob Turner and they feel the players pain.
“There is nothing I can say or do that is going to change how they feel,” said Russo. “That is the cruel
part of what we do.”
The accomplishments of Russo are unequalled. He won three national championships, reached 13 Final Fours, made the NCAA Tournament 30 straight times, won 20 conference titles and compiled a career record of 557-67-45
“I’m content,” said Russo. “Even though the result
didn’t go our way there are very few things in this game that we haven’t enjoyed as a team. I am as upset as anybody, but we have done the best we could do for 32 years and it speaks for itself.”
Loud and clear, one of the true legends of college women’s soccer is stepping away.