CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer team made a change inside its coaching staff on Tuesday, as head coach
Daniel Clitnovici announced that
Chloe Roberts was officially elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach.
"We are really happy to have Chloe promoted to Associate Head Coach," Clitnovici said. "Chloe played a crucial part in last season's success and continues to lead our program on so many fronts. It's only normal to promote natural leaders and to continue to move our Islanders Soccer program forward with this promotion."
Roberts joined Clitnovici's first staff last April as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, a role in which she helped lead the Islanders to the most successful season in program history. The team put together its first-ever winning record in 2024, posting a mark of 10-5-5 to finish in second place in the Southland Conference regular season standings. It also advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for just the second time since starting play in 2013.
In addition to these accomplishments, the Islanders set many other program records during Roberts' first year in Corpus Christi, including the longest unbeaten streak (7), most consecutive shutouts (4), most shutouts in conference play (6), fewest road losses (2) and longest winning streak (5). They also matched the previous bests for longest winning streak in regular season conference play (4) and most total shutouts in a season (8).
"I am truly honored and grateful to Coach Daniel, the athletic department and the university for their continued trust and support in elevating me to this new position," Roberts said. "It has been a privilege to be part of a program committed to excellence, and I look forward to building on the success of our first year alongside an exceptional group of student-athletes and a dedicated staff. Thank you for the opportunity and go Islanders!"
Prior to arriving on the Island, Roberts' previous coaching stops included two years as an assistant coach at Marshall and eight years with the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where she started as a graduate assistant before being elevated to an assistant coach and then to the head coach from 2017 to 2021.
As a player, the Plymouth, England native featured on the U16-23 England National Teams as well as with the University of North Alabama, where she was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023 after finishing her career with 93 goals, the most in program history. Roberts also played for the Colorado Rapids Women from 2011-2013, who were coached by Clitnovici while she was there.
"I've been fortunate enough to have closely watched Chloe grow from a top-level player who received all the accolades to a very good coach and role model," Clitnovici said. "She is guided by her moral compass and has a positive way of motivating and leading our student-athletes. She is a great example of the empowerment we search for in all our student-athletes and staff. I coached her 13 years ago, and to now have her work alongside me is something I'm really proud of. We are very happy to have Chloe on the Island moving this program forward and to call her a colleague and friend."
Roberts and the Islanders will open the 2025 season on August 14, hitting the road to take on Sun Belt Conference opponent Arkansas State. The team's first game at home will take place on August 17, when they welcome the University of New Mexico for a matchup at the Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track & Field Stadium.
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