A familiar face to the Nova Southeastern University men's soccer program, Matthew Parry enters his seventh season as assistant men's soccer coach. Parry moved to the coaching ranks after completing a stellar four-year playing career at NSU.
Parry helped lead the Sharks to a birth into the Sunshine State Conference men’s soccer tournament in 2010. He helped guide the Sharks to 8-6-2 overall record while going 4-4-0 in the league. Two Sharks players were tabbed with All-Sunshine State Conference team recognition at the end of the year. Aly Hassan was voted to the First-Team as Craig Heenighan was tabbed as a honorable mention.
In 2009, Parry coached the Sharks to a second-round appearance in the Sunshine State Conference Men's Soccer tournament. They finished the season with eight wins, including a post season victory over Lynn that came down to penalty kicks. NSU was honored in 2009 for being one of 97 teams across all divisions of the NCAA whose men’s and women’s soccer programs had a 3.0 GPA or higher.
NSU went 10-9-1 during the 2008 season, giving the Sharks their sixth winning season in its seven-year NCAA history. The Sharks had a five-game unbeaten streak to start the season, which included a season-opening 2-0 victory over then ranked No. 22 Clayton State on Aug. 28.
In 2007, Parry helped lead the Sharks to their highest-ever national ranking when the team was No. 2 in the NSCAA/adidas national poll in early October. NSU ultimately finished the season 12-5-2 overall with a team that started eight freshman.
In his first season as assistant coach, the Sharks started off the 2006 season with an impressive 5-1 run, outscoring their opponents 13-5. After dropping a 2-0 decision to NAIA powerhouse Embry-Riddle on Aug. 27, the squad rattled off a 5-0 start in September, beginning with a 3-1 triumph over Thomas University on Sept. 1 at home.
The 2006 season had several milestones, despite finishing 8-6-3. The Sharks finished nearly perfect at home in the NSU Soccer Complex (6-1-1), keeping it one of the toughest places to play in south Florida. The squad also proved their toughness in overtime contests, finishing the season 4-0-3.
During his career as a Shark, Parry guided the team to a 49-21-6 record and was a co-captain for three seasons. Parry became the first NSU men's soccer All-American when he was a Second-Team selection following his junior campaign. Parry is tied for NSU's all-time record with 28 career assists and finished his four-year NSU career with 22 goals and 72 points.
In addition to his All-American status, Parry was a two-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection and was also named to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Region Team. He was a First-Team All-Region selection as a sophomore and junior and then a Second-Team All-Region honoree as a senior. Parry was also named the NSU Male Athlete of the Year in 2003-04.
Prior to coming to NSU, Parry's playing career included stints as the captain of Arsenal FC schoolboys, Norwich City FC's Youth Team Captain and he was also a reserve team member. He was named district captain and county captain three times while in secondary school and helped lead his team to three district championship titles as well as the county semifinals.
Born in Hitchin, England, Parry received his bachelor's degree in Sport and Wellness studies from NSU in Dec. 2005. He received his master's degree in business administration in Aug. 2009 and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in education. Parry holds a Level 2 Coaching Certificate by the English FA, the USSF A License and the NSCAA Premier Diploma.
