By MCKENZIE YI
Dartmouth Athletics
HANOVER, N.H. — Taylor Schram, Stacy Branca ’94 Family Head Coach of Women’s Soccer, has announced the addition of Rachel Pitman as the program’s newest associate head coach.
“We are excited to welcome Rachel to the Dartmouth Athletics community and to the Dartmouth Women’s Soccer family,” said Schram.
“Rachel’s passion for the game and her ability to connect with and develop student-athletes at the highest level has helped her emerge as one of the most talented coaches in the game. Rachel’s expertise stems from an elite playing career where she had the opportunity to represent England in the U17 World Cup at the youth level in addition to competing professionally for four years both in the Champions and the Women’s Super League. Rachel’s defensive expertise, global recruiting network, and her commitment to holistic development will be invaluable in continuing to elevate Dartmouth Women’s Soccer to new heights.”
Born and raised in Bristol, England, Pitman comes to Hanover with a decorated coaching and player background. With over 13 years of experience, Pitman is ready to make a positive impact on the Big Green.
Her most recent coaching experience was at DePaul University, where she spent the last six years with the Blue Demons. Starting as a graduate assistant in 2018, Pitman worked up the ranks as a second assistant to first assistant and most recently as the associate head coach. Pitman has dedicated countless hours and effort to the Blue Demons and is ready to bring her knowledge to the Big Green.
At DePaul, she conducted statistical analysis and scouting reports to present to the team, while also creating practice plans and regularly leading field sessions. Pitman also handled administrative duties and led the team in goal-setting and culture-building. She also created a new out-of-possession principle for the Blue Demons to improve the defensive unit’s goals allowed stat by 30% last season.
Additionally, Pitman recruited top prospective student-athletes who made All-Big East First Team and the Big East’s leading goal scorer in 2022. She also aided in the development of professional players playing in Europe.
As a player, Pitman played for DePaul from 2011-14, leading DePaul to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, DePaul set a program record going 17-1-4 with a 20-match streak without a loss, the longest in the nation along with UCLA at the time. Pitman led her team to both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles and was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team and was NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team.
As a student-athlete, Pitman was named to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team and was a four-time Big East All-Academic Team selection. Competing on England’s U-17 and U-23 national teams, Pitman scored five goals and helped lead the English to the U-17 World Cup Semifinals. She has also played with England’s U-15 and U-17 teams. Later, she embarked on her professional career with the Sunderland Ladies AFC Club in Sunderland, England where she made four appearances in the Champions League.
Pitman holds a UEFA B license.
