BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Marybeth Lamb, announced today that former Bears' defender Yasmina Carvalho has been named as the seventh head coach of the BSU women’s soccer program.  Carvalho replaces Lou Verrochi who retired following the conclusion of the 2013 season.

Verrochi guided his teams to a 35-35-8 (.500) record in four seasons at the helm including a 9-9-2 mark in 2013 when the Bears won the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in ten years.

A three-time All-MASCAC selection and two-year captain for the Bears, Carvalho anchored the Bears' defensive backfield  for four seasons from 2006 to 2009.  She tallied three goals and an assists in 61 career games including 51 starts as she helped the Bears capture the MASCAC regular season title in 2008 and reach the MASCAC Tournament championship game in two of her four seasons.

"We are excited to welcome back Yaz to the BSU Bears women's soccer program,” said Lamb.  “She brings a good deal of coaching experience and soccer expertise to her new position.

“I am confident that under her leadership, the team will not only excel in the MASCAC but be a significant soccer power in Division III New England,” Lamb added.

Since graduating from Bridgewater State in 2010 with a degree in Physical Education, Carvalho spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Division II Stonehill College helping coach the Skyhawks to above .500 records in both 2011 and 2012.  Most recently, Yasmina was an assistant coach at UMass Boston in 2013 as the Beacons posted a record of 15-5.  Additionally, Carvalho also previously worked as a club coach with the South Shore Select as well as the Scorpions Soccer Club.

Yasmina is currently a physical education teacher at Brockton High School.  She also presently resides in her hometown of Brockton.