LA MIRADA, Calif. --- On Wednesday the United Soccer Coaches joined the number of voices praising coaches Erin Brunelle, Josh Juarez, Brian Price and Miranda Starbeck for their leadership during Biola's run to the 2017 NCCAA Women's Soccer National Championship.

The USC named Brunelle the Women's Soccer Coach of the Year at the NCCAA level after the Eagles won five-straight matches in NCCAA postseason play without conceding a goal. Women's Soccer won its first National Championship with a 4-0 win over Indiana Wesleyan on Dec. 2, completing its season with a 17-3-2 record and three All-PacWest players, among many other honors.

"The USC have recognized the fact that a Coach of the Year award is impossible without the staff who support the Head Coach. Josh & Miranda are first time coaches here at Biola, but both made immediate impacts with the team," said Brunelle. "Miranda is an alumnae of the program and therefore had a connection with the ladies in knowing the program first-hand. She is constantly checking in with players and has a pulse on what is going on in their lives. She was someone the ladies felt comfortable going to for further explanations and encouragement. Josh jumped right in with implementing ideas that helped him connect well with the players. One of the first things he said to me was that he was looking forward to getting to know each player so that he could understand how best to help them."

The Eagles' 17 wins sets a new program record for wins in one season. The previous record was 15, which was set in 2002 and tied by Brunelle's teams in 2015 and 2016. Brunelle now has an overall record of 47-9-7 after becoming the Eagles' Head Coach in the summer of 2015 and has advanced to postseason play each of the three seasons since taking the position.

"We also could not have achieved this award without Brian Price, [athletic trainer] Dani Lim and [strength & conditioning coach] Frank Ramirez," said Brunelle. "BP has been vital in helping our goalkeepers build self-confidence and develop day in and day out. Dani and Frank helped our ladies remain strong physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually throughout the season. We have such a great staff and feel blessed that God would allow us to have such a phenomenal season."

Shortly after the Eagles return from Christmas Break, Brunelle and her team will begin spring practices with the intention of repeating their success in 2018 and improving their finish in the PacWest table.

To the release from United Soccer Coaches and to view the other coaching staffs who were honored, click here.