Chris Flaherty enters his third season as the program’s goalkeeping coach. During that time, the Stags have amassed 43 wins overall with a conference record of 27-3-4.
Flaherty has mentored the Fairfield goalkeepers who have limited opponents to fewer than one goal per match in each of the past two seasons.
His tutelage includes the development of Katie Wright who broke the program’s all-time wins record by becoming the first Stag to eclipse 50 career victories. Wright was also named the MAAC Golden Glove, an award given to the conference’s best goalkeeper. She was also named to the All-MAAC First Team while also picking up All-Region, All-ECAC, and All-New England awards.
Flaherty brought a wealth of knowledge into the position serving six years as the goalkeeping coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams at the University of Bridgeport.
Flaherty helped the Purple Knights women’s team to two-straight Central Athletic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championships during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Working with two freshmen goalkeepers this past season, the Purple Knights allowed just one goal during three CACC Tournament games. They combined for 73 saves in 19 games with a save percentage over .750.
Bridgeport also won the 2022 CACC Regular Season with an unbeaten 10-0-2 conference mark and advanced to the East Regional Semifinals. He also mentored goalkeeper Clara Karlsson during that historic season, who posted nine clean sheets and a .790 save percentage before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast.
Flaherty also was vital in the development of men’s goalkeeper Clement Anet, who was named the 2022 CACC Goalkeeper of the Year. Anet led the league with ten victories to combined with 82 saves and a .796 save percentage.
He was also part of the staff that won the 2018 Division II National Championship who won 20 games during their historic campaign. For their success, the Bridgeport staff was named the National Coaching Staff of the Year.
Flaherty also has coaching experience with the Connecticut Football Club, Staples High School, and the FC National Elite.
