New Rochelle, NY- Iona College Director of Athletics Shawn Brennan announced the appointment of new men's and women's soccer head coaches today.

Fernando Barboto becomes the sixth men's soccer head coach in Iona history after serving three seasons as head coach of St. Francis University in Loretto, PA. In his first two seasons at St. Francis, Barboto led the squad to their first ever back-to-back winning seasons in the Northeast Conference. Prior to St. Francis, Barboto was an assistant at Lafayette College and helped lead the Leopards to two straight Patriot League Championships including a NCAA Championship berth in 1998 vs. #1 ranked Clemson. A 1994 graduate of Montclair State University, Barboto spent four seasons at his alma mater as head women's soccer coach from 1994-1998. During his tenure, he led the RedHawks to a Division III regional ranking and four consecutive winning seasons.

Barboto was a four-year letter winner at Montclair St and earned NSCAA All-American honors as a senior. He went on to play professionally for six seasons with the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL.

Emma Hayes comes to New Rochelle following a one-year stint as head coach of the Long Island Lady Riders of the W-League. In 2002, she was named the National Coach of the Year of the 34 team W-League, after leading Long Island to an 11-3 record while advancing to the Eastern Conference championship. The W-League serves as a pipeline to the WUSA - the nation's top professional soccer league. At 25, she was the youngest female coach in league history. Additionally, she assisted the Columbia University soccer program. A native of London, England, Hayes is a 1999 graduate of the University of Liverpool Hope.

Hayes was a member of the Arsenal Ladies Football Club in many capacities from a young age. She played on five national championship teams from the club level to the first team from 1988-2000.

“I am pleased to add both Emma and Fernando to the staff,” said Brennan. “Both have demonstrated success coaching at various levels and will be excellent leaders of our soccer programs.”