Shannon Neely Noel became the sixth head coach hired to lead the women's soccer program at Queens in Spring '22 coming to the Royals with over 12 years of coaching experience.
Following her collegiate playing career at Ohio State University, Neely Noel began her coaching career at Grand Valley State University as an assistant coach. She was with the program when the Lakers won their first national title in 2009 and when they won their second in 2010. GVSU then finished the 2011 season as national runner-up with the championship final loss being their only loss of the season. During the three seasons, two players were named national players of the year, 22 all-Americans, and six academic all-Americans.
Neely Noel's next stop was at Northwestern University where she was an assistant coach for five seasons, working with the team's defense and goalkeepers. In 2016, the Wildcats won their first Big Ten Conference Championship in program history and the coaching staff was named Regional Staff of the Year. Northwestern set multiple program and national records in shutouts, goals-against average, and saves while Neely Noel was on staff. Neely Noel also recruited and coached the program's first all-American, and Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Lauren Clem.
Neely Noel then spent three seasons at Fordham University as an associate head coach working with the team's offense. While there, the Rams earned two straight appearances in post-season play. Also serving as the recruiting coordinator, Noel secured the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history.
Neely Noel has spent the past few seasons as a head coach and girls director at the Long Island Soccer Club. With LISC, Neely Noel coached the Girls Academy League U19, U17, and U12 teams. She was also responsible for the oversight of 18 teams and 12 coaches and served as the recruiting coordinator. Neely Noel was also the co-creator and director of the C.O.R.E. Leadership Development Program.
In addition, Neely Noel has been serving as the social media and promotional director for the USA Deaf Women's National Team and the sporting director for the Long Island Rough Riders, a semi-pro women's soccer team that competes in the United Women's Soccer League.
As a goalkeeper for the Buckeyes, Neely Noel helped the women's soccer team win Big Ten Championships in 2002 and 2004. In 2002, they made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and set a program record for wins after reaching the Round of 8 in 2004. A three-time Big Ten All-Academic honoree, Neely Noel was also named an OSU Scholar-Athlete five times and earned the 2016 Coaches Award.
Neely Noel earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Ohio State. She then earned a master's degree in education from GVSU.