In her 16 seasons on the bench, RIT head coach Liz Masterson has continued to build the women’s soccer program into one of the premier teams in the Northeast region. Masterson’s leadership was on full display in 2025, as she guided the Tigers to a 10-4-6 overall record and an appearance in the Liberty League Championship final—the program's third title game appearance under her watch.
Record and Milestones
The 2012 Liberty League Coach of the Year, Masterson holds a career record of 150-83-48 (.624) at RIT. On Oct. 15, 2021, she became the all-time winningest coach in program history, surpassing Tom Natale’s 106 wins (1996–2009). Under her guidance, the Tigers have achieved:
- 5 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2018, 2022, and 2023).
- 13 Liberty League Tournament appearances, including a current streak of eight consecutive postseason berths (2017–25).
Liberty League Major Awards
Masterson has developed top-tier talent that consistently earns the conference's highest individual honors. Her tenure features a remarkable run of "Rookie of the Year" winners and standout defensive and offensive players:
- Player of the Year: Mia White (2019)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Riley Yankowich (2017) and Jamie Martinez (2013 Co-Defensive Player of the Year).
- Rookie of the Year: Emma Pedro (2023), Sam Halligan (2022), and Christine Cataldo-Smith (2019).
National and Regional Recognition
Masterson has a proven track record of mentoring elite talent, consistently producing players recognized at the regional and national levels.
All-Americans
- Jessie Gomez (2023): United Soccer Coaches Third Team
- Erin Allor (2022): United Soccer Coaches Second Team
- Jamie Martinez (2013): NSCAA Second Team
Scholar & Academic All-Americans
Masterson’s program emphasizes excellence in the classroom, producing numerous national academic honorees:
- CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans: Marla Roberts (2018 First Team), Jessica Wagner (2021 Second Team), Jamie Martinez (2013 Second Team), Rachel Strader (2020 Third Team), Elizabeth May (2015 Third Team), and Amanda Murray (2014 Third Team).
- United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Americans: Jessie Gomez (2023), Morgan Monteith (2021), and Lauren Chester (2018).
All-Region Selections
The Tigers are a constant presence on the All-Region teams, with recent First Team selections including Elena Onodera (2025), Jessie Gomez (2023), Sam Halligan (2022), and Erin Allor (2022).
Leadership & Service
Beyond the pitch, Masterson has developed a consistent pipeline of leaders who serve the entire athletic department and NCAA governance structure. The women’s soccer program has produced six SAAC Presidents during her tenure, including two who served at the national level:
- Chelsea Shoemaker (2011–13): Served as Chair of the NCAA Division III National SAAC, the highest student leadership position in the division. She was also the Liberty League SAAC President and a two-term RIT SAAC President.
- Lauren Zeglen (2021–22): Served as RIT SAAC President and represented the Liberty League on the National SAAC, acting as the conference's voice at the NCAA Convention.
- Jillian Antol (2025–26): Elected SAAC President for the 2025–26 academic year.
- Abbey Saia (2019–20): Led the committee as SAAC President during the 2019–20 academic year.
- Natalie Hurd (2016–17): Served as SAAC President for the 2016–17 academic year.
- Kiana Richards (2014–15): Served as SAAC President for the 2014–15 academic year.
Coaching Pedigree & Playing Career
Masterson arrived at RIT after two seasons as head coach at Elmira College. A 2005 graduate of St. Lawrence University, she was a 2003 NSCAA First Team All-American herself and a four-time First Team All-Liberty League selection.
She later played professionally for the Massachusetts Stingers (WPSL) and the Rochester Rhinos (W-League), where she served as a three-year captain and retired as the club’s all-time leader in games played.
Professional & Personal
Masterson holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “Senior-A” License and a master’s degree in sport business management from Manhattanville College. A native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., she resides in Rochester with her husband, Evan Schutt, and their children, Harper and Kai.
