Drexel women’s soccer head coach Ray Goon to retire, ending 29-year tenure

PHILADELPHIA – Former CAA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year and South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame member Ray Goon has announced he will retire following the 2025 season, ending a 29-year tenure with Drexel.

Goon was named the head women’s soccer coach in June of 1996, when the university reinstated the program. His tenure is highlighted by a second-place finish in 2022. The Dragons finished the campaign with an 11-3-5 mark and posted the second-longest winning streak to begin a season in CAA history. The team featured the CAA Attacking Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year and Goon was named the CAA Co-Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

“Coach Goon has represented this University for nearly thirty years with grace and dignity,” said Vice President, Director of Athletics & Recreation Maisha Kelly. “He shepherded the development of hundreds of student-athletes across his time leading our women’s soccer program. His presence in the department will be missed. I thank Ray for his years of dedication and wish him well in retirement.”

Goon received coach of the year honors two other times. In the 2012 campaign, Drexel finished with a 13-3-3 record, including a 6-0-1 tab at home to end the season second in the conference. In 2016, Goon earned the accolade after leading the Dragons to the CAA Championship game.

“The opportunity to coach at Drexel means a lot to me and I did not take a single day for granted the past 29 years,” said Goon. “I am grateful for all the players I was able to coach, along with all of the help and guidance my assistant coaches, the administration and athletic support staff provided throughout my time as a Dragon.”

“Drexel is a special place and I am so honored and fortunate to have had the chance to call it home for such a long time.”

Through 29 years at Drexel, Goon has coached two Mary Semanik Award winners, five players of the year and 39 different All-Conference performers.

A search for the next head coach of Drexel women’s soccer will begin immediately.