Nov. 14–

Concordia University Athletic Director Tom Rubbelke has announced that Joe Alianiello has been named head women's soccer coach at Concordia University.

"We are very excited to retain Joe in the Concordia athletic department. We are excited with the direction he is taking the soccer program and he has done a great job for us," said Rubbelke. "The results speak for themselves. The student-athletes, parents and the CU athletic department are all excited for the future of CU women's soccer."

Alianiello had served as interim head coach for the 2006 season, guiding the Golden Bears to a record-setting season as he was named NSIC Co-Coach of the Year. The Golden Bears finished in a second place tie in the Northern Sun regular season with a 6-3 record and earned the number two seed in the conference tournament where they took third place, their highest-ever finish in the tournament. They set a school record for wins, going 11-11-1 and won their first-ever NSIC tournament contest.

"I am happy to be working with the women's soccer team on a permanent basis.  This is a great opportunity for me," said Alianiello. "I am excited about the future of women's soccer at Concordia and I am looking forward to even greater success in the coming years." 

Alianiello joined the Golden Bears coaching staff for the 2005 season as a graduate assistant after a stint as head coach of the girl's soccer team at Altoona Area High School in Altoona, Penn. Under his leadership, the team set a school record for most wins in a season, won their first-ever conference championship and had the school's best district playoff run.

He was the starting goalkeeper at St. Francis University from 1999-2002 where he holds every major goalkeeping record. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally in the Premier Development League for the Thunder Bay Chill where he set the single season shutout record.

He earned a degree in history from St. Francis in 2003 and is currently working on a masters degree in organizational management at Concordia.