Poller Promoted, Kranich Hired to Women's Soccer Team's Coaching Staff

Mike Poller has been promoted to the Princeton women's soccer team's first assistant coaching position and former Villanova goalkeeper Jami Kranich has been added to the staff as an assistant coach, head coach Sean Driscoll has announced.

Poller takes over the lead assistant role opened when Kelly Boudreau, who had served as the team's first assistant coach while also handling goalkeeping coach duties the last two seasons, returned to Connecticut to be a math teacher the head girls soccer coach at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn.

"Following an extensive national search, it became evident that the best person for the job was the one who has sat fifteen feet away from me for the past two years," Driscoll said. "Since my arrival in 2015, Mike has been instrumental in every facet of our program. He is an excellent recruiter, possesses a tremendous understanding of the game and is willing to do whatever it takes to make this the best program it can be. Moreover, he truly loves this university and is fully invested in providing our talented student-athletes the necessary support and guidance to achieve excellence in everything they do on campus."

Poller has been at Princeton for three seasons, first serving as an assistant coach in Julie Shackford's final season before remaining on staff with Sean Driscoll the past two years. The Tigers won the Ivy League title at 6-0-1 in 2015, part of a 13-game unbeaten streak that Princeton carried through the first round of the NCAA tournament when the team hosted and beat Boston College to advance to the second round for the second time in four years. Princeton is 31-14-7 in Poller's three seasons with the program, a span that includes two Ivy Player of the Year honors, a Rookie of the Year winner, and 17 All-Ivy League honorees.

"I am very honored to be able to continue to work with Sean and to continue to serve the student-athletes on our women's soccer team," Poller said. "I would like to thank Sean for all of his support and belief in my abilities to positively impact this program. I would also like to thank Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Executive Associate Director of Athletics Anthony Archbald, and the rest of the athletic department staff. It is a privilege to be a part of such an amazing program with great leaders and coaches in every sport. I am excited to continue working toward excellence in every aspect of our program and I look forward to the continued tradition of success both in the classroom and on the soccer field."

Kranich was a four-year starter at Villanova, earning All-Big East honors after a junior season that saw her spend part of the fall with the U.S. team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. She compiled 12 career shutouts during her time with the Wildcats, helping to earn her selection by the Boston Breakers during the 2014 NWSL Draft. Kranich has been with the Breakers for the past three seasons.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Jami to our women's soccer family," Driscoll said. "I was first introduced to her as a youth player at Connecticut Football Club (CFC) in 2006. Over the years, I watched her develop into one of the country's best goalkeepers. Prior to attending the NWSL Draft this year, the only other one I attended was in 2014. The sole purpose that day was to be there in support of Jami, who was selected by the Boston Breakers. It was a moment of immense pride, as she became the first CFC player to attain such heights. Now, it is as if things have come full circle. From the U-14 player, who I watched blossom into a star, to the talented, rising young coach, who will continue to push our program forward, it is an evolution and journey that I am proud to be associated with and witness. Jami will bring tremendous experience from the college, national and professional level to our goalkeepers. She is chomping at the bit to get going and I cannot wait to get her involved with our program."

A native of Hamden, Conn., Kranich has served as an assistant or goalkeeper coach at Quinnipiac, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Massachusetts, the Stars of Massachusetts Football Club and the Keeper Institute Goalkeeper Summit.

"I am beyond excited to join the Princeton women's soccer family," Kranich said. "I could not have asked for a better university to continue my college coaching career. Princeton has so much to offer as an institution and a community that believes in learning on the field as much as off the field. It is an amazing opportunity to be able to work under Sean, a coach that I have known since I was 14. I am excited to learn all that he has to offer from his many years of collegiate coaching. He has only said great things about the student- athletes on the team and I can't wait to get started working with the program."

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