2022 CSAC Coach of the Year Jesse Zafiratos just completed his first season as the head coach of the Cedar Crest Women's Soccer team in 2022. In his first season he led the Falcons to the CSAC Regular season championship, finishing as the #1 overall seed while compiling a 12-4-2 overall record, and going undefeated in conference play with an 8-0-1 mark. The Falcons scored a program record 71 goals in 2022, and senior forward Taylor Wolf was the nation’s leading goal scorer tallying a single season program record with 30 goals. Along with that, nine players earned CSAC All-Conference honors, and for his efforts Zafiratos was named CSAC Coach of the Year.
He joined the Falcons after one season at the helm of the Hood College men's soccer program. During his time with the Blazers, Zafiratos led the team to the most wins for a first-year head coach in program history with eight. He was also responsible for the recruitment of a program record 21 student-athletes. Off the pitch, Zafiratos' team collected a team grade point average of 3.30.
No stranger to the CSAC, Zafiratos spent two years as the head men's soccer coach at Rosemont College. In 2019, he took over a team that hadn't made the playoffs in seven years and guided the Ravens to the conference championship game and doubled Rosemont's win total from the year before. Once again, Zafiratos brought in a large recruiting class, matriculating 14 student-athletes into the program.
Prior to his stop at Rosemont, Zafiratos turned in an impressive three-year run as the head men's soccer coach at Penn State Brandywine from 2016-18, culminating in the Lions' first United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Championship. He compiled a 50-10-3 overall record, including a perfect 27-0 in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and three straight conference titles. His 2018 team won a school record 16 straight games and upset No. 1 ranked Johnson and Wales University (N.C.), 1-0 in overtime to win the department's only national championship. He coached 22 All-PSUAC selections and 10 USCAA All-Americans. His 2018 team led all levels of collegiate soccer with 102 goals scored. Zafiratos was named the 2017 PSUAC Coach of the Year and the 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer Small College Coach of the Year.
Before taking over the program at Penn State Brandywine, he spent four seasons as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Widener University. Zafiratos helped the team increase its win total each season, including a berth in the ECAC South Region Semifinals in 2014.
Zafiratos began his collegiate playing career at Kutztown University before transferring to La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was a three-year starter and senior captain, helping the Redhawks qualify for three Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference playoff appearances. He scored 21 goals and had 13 assists during his Redhawk career. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.
The Glenolden, Pa. native tallied 51 goals during his scholastic career at Interboro High School in Prospect Park, Pa. He was a three-time All-Del Val first team selection and earned All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Honors from the Philadelphia Inquirer as a senior. He led the Bucs to two PIAA Class AAA district playoff berths.
Zafiratos came to Cedar Crest sporting an outstanding career record of 66-29-6. His .683 winning percentage is one of the top records among all college soccer coaches over the last five years.
On the club side, Zafiratos currently coaches the 2011 LMSC Swarm U11-A girls team,and was recently named 2022 Lower Merion Soccer Club Girl's Travel Coach of the Year. He was a full-time administrator and senior staff coach for five years, serving as the Regional Assistant Director of Coaching and also ran the College Advisory Program. His LMSC 2004 boy's Invictus team went to three straight state championship games from 2017-2019 against PA Dominion. His Invictus side won in 2017 before falling in penalty kicks and overtime, respectively, the next two seasons. The 2017 team lost in overtime in the regional finals against Real NJ 2004. They had a USYS top five national ranking for three straight years.
Zafiratos currently resides in Ardmore, Pa.
What They're Saying About Coach Zafiratos
"Jesse is an excellent coach and an outstanding hire. He is very passionate about the game and has been a proven winner both on and off the field. He will be a fantastic leader and I look forward to following his success for years to come."
Tyler Mensch, Head Men's Soccer Coach, Penn. College of Technology
"Jesse is an exceptional young coach that will bring a ton of energy to the program. Jesse is a strong recruiter and has a great eye for talent. As someone that has coached against him I know he can develop players and has a great tactical knowledge of the game. Jesse will be an asset to the Cedar Crest Athletic Department."
Graeme Millar, Head Men's Soccer Coach, Stevenson University
ZAFIRATOS YEAR BY YEAR:
2016-PENN STATE BRANDYWINE: 15-3-1 (PSUAC CHAMPIONS)
2017-PENN STATE BRANDYWINE: 17-5-0 (PSUAC CHAMPIONS, PSUAC COACH OF THE YEAR)
2018-PENN STATE BRANDYWINE: 18-2-2 (PSUAC CHAMPIONS, USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER COACH OF THE YEAR)
2019-ROSEMONT COLLEGE: 8-10-2 (CSAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCE)
2020-ROSEMONT COLLEGE: NO SEASON DUE TO COVID
2021-HOOD COLLEGE (MD): 8-9-1- MOST WINS BY FIRST YEAR HEAD COACH
2022-CEDAR CREST COLLEGE: 12-4-2 (CSAC REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS, CSAC FINALISTS, CSAC COACH OF THE YEAR, PROGRAM RECORD 71 GOALS SCORED)
CAREER RECORD- 78-33-7 (.732 WINNING PERCENTAGE)
