April 19, 2013
SAN DIEGO - Longtime San Diego State men's soccer assistant coach Matt Hall has been promoted to associate head coach, Aztec head coach Lev Kirshner announced Friday. The promotion will keep Hall by Kirshner's side for the 14th consecutive season beginning with the upcoming 2013 campaign.
Hall, who was Kirshner's first hire when he became head coach, is known nationally for producing some of the top goalkeepers in Division I men's soccer. Over his 13 years nearly every goalie has earned postseason honors, including Tally Hall, who was a two-time All-American, 2006 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist, 2011 MLS all-star and Houston Dynamo's starting keeper in the last two MLS Cups.
In addition to tutoring SDSU's goalkeepers, Hall ensures the program runs smoothly as he is the team's lead recruiter, travel and camp coordinator, and training session planner.
On the recruiting front, Hall is responsible for San Diego State's nationally recognized recruiting classes. From 2005-07, Hall inked three top-40 incoming groups, and duplicated his effort the last four seasons, including last year's top-30 class.
For those who have followed San Diego State since the mid-1990s, Hall should be a familiar face as he was an Aztec goalkeeper from 1996-98. Hall is currently ranked third all-time in career saves with 213 behind pupils Brian Barnes (282; 1999-2002) and Tally Hall (256; 2003-06).
Following his college player career at SDSU, the former team captain represented the Scarlet and Black at the 1998 adidas Summer League, a prestigious camp designed for the nation's top collegiate players. He was one of 15 goalkeepers selected to participate.
Hall, who holds a U.S.S.F. National "A" license, also had a solid professional career, starting for the San Diego Flash, which reached the quarterfinals of the A-League championship in 2001.
Hall and the Aztecs are coming off a spring season in which they navigated the schedule unbeaten at 6-0-3 and only bled three goals. One of SDSU's six victories was a 3-1 decision against 2012 NCAA Elite Eight participant USD. For Kirshner and Hall, this was SDSU's first unbeaten spring under their guidance.