Nemzer Welcomes Wright as Director of Player Development
1/12/2022 9:25:00 AM | Women's Soccer
COLLEGE PARK, MD – Head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer has named Kenie Wright as the program's first-ever Director of Player Development.
"I am very lucky to have Kenie on the coaching staff," said Nemzer. "I have known Kenie since she was 13 years old and she is going to be a terrific role model for the Maryland women's soccer team. She is someone they will be able to relate to, as she has succeeded at every level of competition. She was a leader on every team she played on, has won a national championship in club, went to the College Cup and played professionally in the NWSL. Our program will benefit immensely from having Kenie as a resource to guide and develop our student-athletes into amazing young ladies on and off the field."
The Mount Laurel, N.J. native comes to Maryland after a successful NWSL career competing for NJ/NY Gotham FC (Formally Sky BLue FC). Wright was drafted 29th overall in the 2019 NWSL draft and spent three seasons with the club. During her time as a professional athlete, Wright also served as a coach for Ukrainian Nationals girls club program and Lenape High School varsity girls soccer.
Wright was a two-time captain and a standout player at Rutgers during Nemzer's tenure with the Scarlet Knights, finishing her senior season as a All-Region and All-Big Ten selection in 2018. The defender started all 19 matches in the backline for Rutgers that season, helping the Scarlet Knights to an 11-4-5 record and berth in the NCAA Tournament.
In all, Wright was a part of four NCAA Tournament teams during her Rutgers career, including Rutgers first ever trip to the College Cup in 2015.
"I am so excited for this opportunity to work with Meg Ryan Nemzer and staff," said Wright. "I've always looked up to Meg as a powerful female coach and now getting to work with her and learn from her is a dream come true. I can't wait to get started with the girls and build this team into a championship program!"
"I am very lucky to have Kenie on the coaching staff," said Nemzer. "I have known Kenie since she was 13 years old and she is going to be a terrific role model for the Maryland women's soccer team. She is someone they will be able to relate to, as she has succeeded at every level of competition. She was a leader on every team she played on, has won a national championship in club, went to the College Cup and played professionally in the NWSL. Our program will benefit immensely from having Kenie as a resource to guide and develop our student-athletes into amazing young ladies on and off the field."
The Mount Laurel, N.J. native comes to Maryland after a successful NWSL career competing for NJ/NY Gotham FC (Formally Sky BLue FC). Wright was drafted 29th overall in the 2019 NWSL draft and spent three seasons with the club. During her time as a professional athlete, Wright also served as a coach for Ukrainian Nationals girls club program and Lenape High School varsity girls soccer.
Wright was a two-time captain and a standout player at Rutgers during Nemzer's tenure with the Scarlet Knights, finishing her senior season as a All-Region and All-Big Ten selection in 2018. The defender started all 19 matches in the backline for Rutgers that season, helping the Scarlet Knights to an 11-4-5 record and berth in the NCAA Tournament.
In all, Wright was a part of four NCAA Tournament teams during her Rutgers career, including Rutgers first ever trip to the College Cup in 2015.
"I am so excited for this opportunity to work with Meg Ryan Nemzer and staff," said Wright. "I've always looked up to Meg as a powerful female coach and now getting to work with her and learn from her is a dream come true. I can't wait to get started with the girls and build this team into a championship program!"
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