Loras College Athletics

The 2021 season marked head coach Steven McCarthy's second season at the helm of the Loras College men's soccer program, joining the staff prior to the 2020 (Spring 2021) season. He came to Loras from Denison University where he spent eight years as the associate head men's soccer coach.

In the fall of 2021, McCarthy led the Duhawks to a 14-7-2 (5-2-1 A-R-C) record, finishing second in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) regular season standings, reaching the postseason in the A-R-C Tournament. McCarthy's Duhawks opened the tournament with a 3-2 double overtime win over Nebraska Wesleyan University to advance and face Simpson College for a highly anticipated rematch that saw the Duhawks breeze past the Storm 3-0 to make it to the finals where they met up with cross-town rivals University of Dubuque. The Duhawks were crowned A-R-C Tournament Champions for the eighth time in program history and first in McCarthy's tenure. 

The tournament championship title gave McCarthy's Duhawks an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament where they opened against North Central College, winning 2-1 to advance into the second round where they bowed out of the Tournament to No. 12 St. Olaf College. Not only did McCarthy help guide the team to success on the field with eight All-Conference performers, the Duhawks received two CoSIDA Academic All-District and Academic All-American honorees as well as nine who earned Academic All-Conference accolades. 

In his first season with the Duhawks, McCarthy helped his team successfully navigate the COVID-19 altered spring season, posting a 5-0-3 undefeated season, second place finish in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C), four All-Conference players, and two CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees. 

While at Denison, McCarthy held responsibilities for recruiting efforts for top-tier student athletes and brought on 12 players who went on to earn All-Conference honors as well as one All-Region award. He brings recruiting experience across the United States and has expanded his reach to South America, Africa, and Europe. McCarthy holds a UEFA “B” License, a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, and has also coached at Southern Polytechnic State University. Additionally, he has served at Columbus Crew SC and Sporting Columbus as the Boys Director of Coaching.

As a student-athlete at Capital University, McCarthy helped lead the team to two Ohio Athletic Conference regular season championships and one NCAA Division III tournament appearance. He is a two-time All-American and holds conference and school records for career goals (69) and points (156). He has also played with the Columbus Crew SC and Dayton Dutch Lions. In 2021, McCarthy was inducted into the Capital University Hall of Fame. 

McCarthy earned his bachelor's degree in management and leadership with a minor in coaching from Capital in 2010 and completed his master's degree in recreation and sport sciences with a concentration in soccer coaching from Ohio University, in 2015. He resides in Dubuque with his wife, Samantha and their son, Kai.