Rider University Athletics

Tara Ballay '16 begins her third season as an assistant coach after joining the Broncs’ staff as assistant coach in January 2017.
 
Her impact was immediate, as she helped the Broncs to a 4-3-3 record in league play in 2017 and a first-round MAAC Tournament victory. Playing a crucial role in the development and coaching of the team’s freshman, Carmen Carbonell was honored as the best rookie goalkeeper in the MAAC.
 
In 2018, Ballay helped the Broncs to an 8-6-4 record and a sixth-consecutive appearance in the MAAC playoffs. Niamh Cashin was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
 
Ballay was a four-year starter for the Broncs from 2012-15, and graduated as arguably the most decorated player in program history. Ballay was the MAAC’s top goal scorer as the program won its first MAAC Championship in 2014. She was named the 2014 MAAC Player of the Year and received First Team All-MAAC honors. As a freshman, Ballay was named MAAC Rookie of the Year and as a junior was named to the NSCAA Third Team All-East and All-ECAC Second Team. In all, Rider was 31-15-7 in her 53 games played. She was a two-time Academic All-American and three-time MAAC All-Academic Team recipient.

Ballay graduated with a degree in psychology in 2016 and received the Advanced National Coaching Diploma in 2018 from the United Soccer Coaches Association.