On October 27, 2022, Samantha Dias was named Head Women's Soccer Coach at Queensborough Community College. With the appointment, she becomes the first-ever head coach of the newly launched women's soccer program at QCC.
Coach Dias comes to Bayside from Lehman College, where she served as acting head women's soccer coach for the 2021 season, after being appointed to that role in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her direction, Lehman posted a 7-7 overall record and advanced to the CUNYAC Championship Game for the first time since 2017. Prior to being named acting head coach, she served as an assistant coach for the Lightning for four seasons, from 2016 to 2019. Dias has also worked as a youth coach with Super Soccer Stars since 2013.
Queensborough Athletic Director
Jon Hochberg commented, "We're excited to bring Samantha on board to lead our women's soccer program. Her playing and coaching experience in CUNYAC at the four-year level will be a great benefit to our student-athletes, as she has a thorough understanding of what it takes to perform at a high-level both academically and athletically as a commuter student within CUNY."
A former standout defender during her playing career at Lehman, Dias was a four-time CUNYAC First Team selection, and a three-time ECAC Second Team honoree. While at Lehman, she was a team MVP and scored 15 career goals (three game-winners) to go along with 12 career assists. During her senior season in 2015, Dias led her team to a school record 14 victories and a CUNYAC regular season title. That season, the Lightning would advance to the CUNYAC Championship Game, eventually falling in overtime, 2-1.
Since graduating from Lehman, Dias has also continued her playing career with New York Dutch Lions FC, a semi-professional team playing in the Women's Professional Soccer League (WPSL).
Dias earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from Lehman College in 2015, and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Long Island University in 2018. She currently holds an FMS Level 1 certification and is pursuing NATA Athletic Trainer certification.
