Brian Goodale gets his 200th win here at Saint Rose
By JACKSON WANG
Sports Editor
 PUBLISHED OCTOBER 25, 2011
When women’s head volleyball coach Brian Goodale took over the program 13 years ago, reaching 200 wins was the last thing on his mind.
On October 4, Goodale did just that getting his 200th win here at Saint Rose. The Golden Knights beat out rival Le Moyne in a 3-0 win in front of 760 loud Le Moyne fans.
“When I started coaching at Saint Rose my only concern was with building a program and recruiting great student-athletes,” said Goodale. “A milestone like this makes me proud of the hard work put in by so many over the years.”
Going into the game against Le Moyne, it never crossed Goodale’s mind that it could be his 200th win.
“The win turned out to be extra exciting for me not so much because it was number 200 but because it was an important and memorable win for our current season,” said Goodale. “I was very proud of the team that night and being it was win number 200 made it extra special.”
Senior Sarah Kahrs was honored to be a part of Goodale’s 200th win. Goodale is also the reason why Kahrs chose to come play at Saint Rose.
“You know you would think that there would be pressure but the team was incredibly calm,” said Kahrs. “We had this we know we are going to win type of attitude.”
When Goodale took over the head coach position 13 years ago, the program was struggling for wins. It took a few years, but Goodale was able to turn this program around and put it on the right path.
During his tenure at Saint Rose, Goodale has produced four 20-win seasons, reached the NCAA tournament twice, and winning NE-10 conference coach of the year in 2006.
Goodale has not only produced great athletes on the court, but also great students in the classrooms. In 2010, Goodale’s team received the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, along with two student-athletes earning places on the NE-10 All-Academic Team.
“What keeps bringing me back are the good people in the athletic department, the wonderful assistant coaches I’ve had, and working with outstanding student-athletes who work hard just for the love of volleyball,” said Goodale.
As for this season, Goodale expects his much improved team to make the NE-10 tournament and make a run for the conference championship. The Golden Knights have not won the conference championship since winning the regular season title in 2006.
“A bigger goal is to win the eastern regional tournament of the NCAA’s, placing us in the national Elite 8,” said Goodale. “We’ve been two wins from this goal twice since 2005.”
“I think that we have taken many teams by surprise. We have so much talent, drive and desire on this team,” said Kahrs. “I truly believe we can take on anyone in our conference as long as we play with that drive and desire.”
The Golden Knights will take on Saint Anselm this Friday at 7:00 at the Nolan Gymnasium.
“I would like to thank all our loyal fans in the Saint Rose community,” said Goodale. “For those who have not come out to watch a volleyball match, I invite you to do so.”
