WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Sarah Tompkins has been named the fifth permanent head coach in the 36-year history of the Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer program, it has been announced today by Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier.

A native of Franklin, WI, Tompkins is a former assistant coach at Division I programs at Quinnipiac University and Illinois State University and a former graduate assistant at Division II Carson-Newman University.

"I could not be more excited to be a part of the Warrior family," said Tompkins. "First, I would like to thank Lori Runksmeier, (search committee chair) Brian Hamm and the entire search committee for their time and effort throughout this entire process. Eastern Connecticut is a special place. I could tell from the moment I stepped on campus. I am very excited to lead this program into the next chapter while continuing to build on the success of Eastern Connecticut women's soccer."

Tompkins replaces Chris D'Ambrosio, who retired at the conclusion of the 2021 season as the program's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 22-year record of 240-137-35 with 18 consecutive winning seasons, and winning nine Little East Conference regular-season titles and four LEC playoff championships.

"Sarah was our top candidate from a very impressive national pool of coaching applicants," noted Runksmeier of Tompkins. "She impressed the search committee with her energy and soccer knowledge. Although she has big shoes to fill, I am confident she is going to be a great leader and drive our women's soccer team forward."

Tompkins spent the last four years under veteran head coach Dave Clarke at Quinnipiac, where she coordinated the defense and was responsible for scouting and for all recruiting in the United States. In that time, the Bobcats compiled an overall record of 34-23-7, 19-11-6 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). This past fall, Quinnipiac posted its best record (13-5-1) in the program's 35-year history, shared second place in the MAAC (7-3-0),  reached the conference tournament championship game and concluded as the eighth-ranked team in one Division I New England poll.

This past year, the Bobcats led the MAAC in goals-against average (0.84), with sophomore keeper Sofia Lospinoso earning second-team All-MAAC recognition.

Acknowledged Hamm, who chaired the six-person search committee: "Sarah stood out among a very strong candidate pool. The outstanding candidates for the position are a reflection of the reputation of our athletics department and women's soccer program. Coach D'Ambrosio established a winning program made up of outstanding women who are passionate about soccer and who are leaders within the Eastern community. Eastern is fortunate to be in a position where one great coach hands the reins to another great coach!"

As a collegiate soccer athlete, Tompkins played her first two seasons at Carson-Newman, where her 125 saves in a season placed her third all-time in program history. After transferring to the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tompkins was a part of back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championship teams, including one that reached the NCAA tournament in her junior year. 

In addition to college coaching, Tompkins brings significant experience coaching top Connecticut soccer athletes as a head coach in the U15 Olympic Development Program and Elite Development Program with Rush Elite and in the U23 Rush Summer League.

Tompkins holds an Advanced National Goalkeeping License and Goalkeeping Level 1, 2, and 3 diplomas from the United Soccer Coaches (USC),  as well as a B License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

Tompkins holds a B.S. Degree in Psychology from UT-Martin and an M.S. in Education from Carson-Newman.