COLLEGE PARK, MD -- University of Maryland women's soccer head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer announced the addition of Alex Shinsky to the coaching staff. Shinsky was a member of the Terrapins' men's soccer program from 2011-14 and was a member of two ACC Championship teams in 2012 and 2013, as well as a Big Ten Championship team in 2014.

"We are excited to welcome Alex to the coaching staff here at Maryland", said coach Nemzer. "His passion and love for the game made him stand out in the hiring process. Most importantly, Alex Shinsky is the epitome of a Maryland Terrapin. His success on the field at Ludwig as a student athlete on the men's soccer team, coupled with his experience coaching at the collegiate level, makes this a tremendous addition to our staff. Alex's knowledge, understanding of the game, ability to teach it and most of all his character, will make an immediate impact with our student athletes. We can't wait to welcome Alex back home to College Park".

Shinsky most recently was a member of the coaching staff for the Temple men's soccer program, serving as assistant coach from 2019-22. While at Temple, Shinsky worked primarily with the midfielders, helping midfielder Jalen Campbell earn second-team All-AAC honors and freshman Nigel Griffith earn All-Rookie honors in 2020-21. Shinsky helped lead the Temple program to the second best offense in the conference with a scoring average of 1.55 as well as a third place finish in the American Conference in the 2020-21 season. Temple also had the second-most assist average in the conference during the season, finishing with 1.36 assist per game.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Maryland Women's Soccer program and would like to thank head coach Meghan Nemzer for providing the opportunity to work with a special group of players and program", said Shinksy. "As a former student athlete it has been a dream of mine to return to The University of Maryland and provide an exceptional experience to the current group of student athletes. I look forward to competing at the highest level and assisting in creating a winning culture both on and off of the field. I cannot wait to get started".

Before joining the staff at Temple, Shinsky spent two seasons on the staff for the Army Black Knights. Shinsky first served as volunteer assistant coach in 2017, before being promoted to assistant coach in 2018. Shinsky worked directly with an offense that ranked third in the Patriot League in shots (274) and first in shots on goal per game (6.12) in 2017. 

During his playing career at Maryland, Shinsky was a part of a Terrapins team that won the 2014 Big Ten Championship and the 2013 and 2012 ACC Championships. Maryland also ended the 2013 season as the NCAA Division I national finalists, while participating in the NCAA College Cup during the 2014 and 2012 seasons as well. A midfielder, Shinsky captained the 2014 Big Ten Championship team and also earned First Team All-Big Ten honors during the season. Shinsky finished his Maryland career having played in 64 matches and 18 games started, two goals and nine assists. Following his playing career at Maryland, Shinsky was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire and spent most of his professional career playing with Arizona United of the USL.

Before coming to Maryland, Shinsky was named TopDrawerSoccer.com's No. 1-rated recruit in 2011 and the No. 2-ranked recruit in the nation by College Soccer News. He also spent time with the U17 U.S. National Team, where he competed and scored a goal against Malawi in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria. In high school at West York Area, he was a Pennsylvania all-state selection all four years and a Senior Parade All-American from 2009-2011. A four-year letter winner, Shinsky graduated from Maryland in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.