NEWBURGH, N.Y. - Some players leave a mark on a program, while others become part of its foundation.
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For Joe Dolan, the transition from record-setting goal scorer to head coach didn't require a return home because he never left. From his final days as a student-athlete to his current role leading the women's soccer program, Dolan's journey has unfolded entirely within the same athletic department, driven by relationships, trust, and a belief in what this school represents.
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Dolan arrived on campus as a men's soccer student-athlete through a familiar connection. Recruited by men's soccer Head Coach Kevin Longacre, a coach he knew well from his time with Soccer Plus Academy, he was drawn not only by the opportunity to compete, but by the family atmosphere that surrounded the program and the institution as a whole.
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"That family aspect of the team and the school is what really brought me here," Dolan said. "It was something I felt right away."
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Lee Ferris, Mount Saint Mary College
On the field, Dolan was known for his mentality. Gritty, confident, and relentless, he played with the belief that his team would not lose when he was on the pitch. That mindset produced moments that still resonate within the program.
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During his junior season, Dolan scored the game-winning goal in a 1–0 victory in the Skyline Conference Championship against St. Joseph's Long Island, finding the back of the net from 35 yards out with seven minutes remaining to secure the title. The goal also broke the program's single-season goal record with his 18th of the season. Two years later, he delivered again, scoring the game-winning golden goal in double overtime against Farmingdale State College with 55 seconds left, to advance the Knights to the Skyline Conference Championship game. Both the first and last goals of his collegiate career came against the Rams.
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Lee Ferris, Mount Saint Mary College
Many of Dolan's goals came late. He often made his impact in the second half, when games tightened and pressure peaked, a reflection of both his endurance and his mental edge.
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Dolan's path toward coaching began unexpectedly. An injury to both of his hips before his junior year forced him to spend time off the field, watching training sessions and assisting from the sideline. Though he played through the injury and went on to produce the best season of his career, the recovery process introduced him to a new way of seeing the game.
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"I hated not being able to play," Dolan said. "But being on the sideline gave me a different perspective — how coaches think, how they manage games, and how much happens through the tactics of the game."
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Those lessons were reinforced by the influences that shaped him. His mother, Terri Cilento, an Academic First Team All-American at Ithaca College, coached him growing up and emphasized grit and accountability. Coach Longacre introduced him to the tactical and intellectual demands of the college game, teaching him to see the game of soccer in a new light.
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Lee Ferris, Mount Saint Mary College
Together, those experiences laid the groundwork for Dolan's coaching philosophy.
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Upon graduating, Dolan transitioned directly into the men's soccer assistant coach role, continuing to learn and grow within the same program. His playing experience, including time abroad competing in Spain, helped him understand the challenges student-athletes face at every level.
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"I don't think you can be a successful coach without being a successful player," Dolan said. "You need to understand what it's like to be in their shoes."
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That understanding proved invaluable when Dolan was presented with an unexpected opportunity. While assisting with the men's team, he was asked during a practice if he would be interested in becoming the head coach of the women's soccer program. After just two hours of consideration, he accepted the role.
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"I was nervous, but I was excited," he said. "It was a responsibility I was ready to take on."
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Thrown into the position midway through the season, Dolan had just three practices to prepare for the most important match of the year against Skyline-undefeated Merchant Marine, and was still learning players' names. The experience accelerated his development and tested his leadership, but it also solidified his approach.
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Lee Ferris, Mount Saint Mary College
Dolan's coaching philosophy centers on mental toughness and resilience.
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"If you can grind it out on the field, you can grind it out anywhere," he said. "Life is a grind, and I want to give our players the tools to be successful. Not just here, but after college."
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Coaching women's soccer has expanded Dolan's understanding of leadership. As a former two-year captain, he learned that leadership as a player could be demonstrated through performance. As a coach, leadership requires communication, trust, and consistent support.
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"The women's and men's games are different," Dolan said. "The standards are the same, but the approach is different. You build confidence and belief, and that's how you get buy-in."
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Dolan believes success is rooted in connection. Under his leadership, he hopes to incorporate annual alumni games and team banquets, strengthening bonds between past and present players.
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He has also left a physical mark on the program. Through his woodworking and construction business, Dolan's business built and donated custom locker room benches for the women's team. Each senior will wood-burn her name into the bench alongside returning alumni, a permanent reminder that they will always be part of the program.
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For Dolan, those gestures matter as much as any result.
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"Success isn't just wins and losses," he said. "It's alumni coming back, players being successful in their careers, and knowing they carry what they learned here into life."
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Dolan's vision for the program is clear and confident. He believes a Skyline Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance are well within reach.
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"If we raise the mentality of the group, there's no reason we can't get there," he said.
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Lee Ferris, Mount Saint Mary College
Ultimately, Dolan hopes to build a legacy of champions, on the field and beyond it. A legacy where players return years later with pride, memories, and a sense of home.
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"I enjoy being here," Dolan said. "It doesn't feel like work. I love the people, the school, and the department. I get to compete, give back, and be part of something that means a lot to me."
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Joe Dolan may no longer be scoring game-winning goals in the final minutes, but his impact and legacy will continue to be forged on the sideline.
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